Gibraltar Blue usually flies out of the pens.
Pinnacle Stakes over 1200m at Vaal (sand) on Tuesday
The biggest prize on offer in midweek is that put aside for the winner of the Pinnacle Stakes over 1200m at the Vaal’s sand track on Tuesday where all eyes are sure to be on the Rock Of Gibraltar mare Gibraltar Blue, writes Steve Furnish.
A winner of six of her ten starts in South Africa, Mike De Kock’s charge has already proven herself to be up there with the very best on turf and a crack at this season’s Queen’s Plate could well be on the cards. Her gate speed has proven to be one of her greatest strengths and usually in command of a good lead when push comes to shove, she is never easy to peg back. Gibraltar Blue tries the sand for the first time here and that is always a bit of a concern. She is clearly best in at the weights though and setting off from a fair draw, with regular partner Anton Marcus in the saddle, she could come home lonely.
Art Wish
The Strike Smartly gelding Art Wish goes particularly well on sand and having won four from seven on the surface, he fully deserved to take his place in the prestigious Gr2 Emerald Cup last time out. Robbie Sage’s charge was reported as coughing in that event though, and ran below best. He’s won two from three over today’s trip and if all is now well, he should be involved.
Prime Mover
Shouldering top weight along with Art Wish is another accomplished sand performer in Prime Mover. He too failed to show in the Emerald Cup, but then he was drawn widest of all in gate fourteen. He’s been ultra consistent otherwise and he does go particularly well over today’s course and distance.
Stable Companions
As well as Prime Mover, trainer Leon Erasmus is also represented by both White Tie and Bownore. Both are battling to find their form at the moment though and worst in at the weights to boot, make no appeal here.
Thunder Creek
Campaigned in Natal prior to recently changing stables, the veteran Thunder Creek has proven to be at his best racing from the front. Other than when winning his maiden over today’s distance back in Apr ’07 though all of his wins have been gained over a minimum of 1400m. His recent efforts have been below par and drawn wide to boot here, he is perhaps best just watched.
Gold Game
Also drawn wide here is Thunder Creek’s stable companion Gold Game. At his best over 1000m on sand, Gold Game won the non black type Sophomore Sprint at this circuit back in 2008. He’s been well below best for a while now though and having been reported as lame when twice scratched recently, he is not easy to fancy.
Captain’s Key
One of the most powerful of the four couplings in the race is that of Mike Azzie. He saddles both Captain’s Key and Follow The Piper. Third in the non-black type Sophomore Sprint over 1000m in his only previous visit to this circuit, this son of Captain Al has since finished third to Kavanagh in the Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes on turf and is not far off the best of his generation on his day. He would have a shout if finding that earlier form.
Lochlorien
Equally effective on sand, the Var gelding Lochlorien has won three times at this circuit. Those three successes have all been gained over a minimum of 1450m though and having been reported as lame on the off fore when a distance behind Gibraltar Blue on turf last time out, one has to have concerns.
Boy Oh Boy
Geoff Woodruff’s charge has won three of his five starts over today’s course and distance. He had been below best for a while prior to this current ten month layoff though and out at the weights with the best here, he is best just watched.
Follow The Piper
One who could give Gibraltar Blue a serious run for her money is the only other female in the race Follow The Piper. This daughter of Tiger Ridge has taken on a new lease of life since being switched to the sand winning both starts. Those successes, along with her other three career wins have all been gained over further, but she is well drawn here and usually one to race up with, or close to the speed, she should go well.
Mr Top
Sean Tarry’s other runner Mr Top tries the sand for the first time here. He’s a fair handicapper on his day, but he is without a win in thirteen outings now and badly out at the weights to boot here, he clearly has no easy task.
About The Pace
The pace is sure to be on here as Gibraltar Blue usually flies out of the gates, and even if she doesn’t, there are a number of other candidates for the role of front runner.
Gibraltar Blue does meet some very useful sand performers here and is sure to have a race on her hands if not equally effective on the surface. Her turf form is top class though, and if running her usual race, she could come home lonely.
