It’s Africa’s richest race and Joburg’s biggest! The final field for the 2024 R6 million Betway Gr1 Summer Cup was unveiled on Wednesday evening and hosts all of the anticipated ‘big-hitters’, including two Pathfork sons in KZN-based defending champion Royal Victory, and Tony Peter star Main Defender. The latter, who drew barrier gate 3, will be ridden by Cape heavyweight Aldo Domeyer for the first time.
With Gavin Lerena defecting after two rides on Main Defender to partner defending champion Royal Victory (gate 15) in the absence of the injured Muzi Yeni, the stage is set for a fascinating clash of generations and the sexes as Domeyer’s talent is called upon to extricate every inch of stamina out of Main Defender, who goes the 2000m for the first time.
Aldo Domeyer – seventh jockey to ride Highveld star Main Defender (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Experts differ in opinion as to whether the son of Pathfork will have the lungs and legs to see out the trip, and a lot will depend on luck in running.
We learn that Paul Peter, who saddled Summer Pudding to victory in 2020, is one of those who believe that Main Defender will stay, given the right ride and conditions.
A three-time Summer Cup winner, the bang in-form Gavin Lerena is an inspired choice for Royal Victory.
The past SA champion will be hungry to renew his association with silverware he last saw in 2016, when registering a year-on-year double on Master Sabina for Geoff Woodruff.
Gavin Lerena puts defending champion Royal Victory through his paces at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Lerena posted his first Summer Cup victory back in 2011 when St John Gray’s champion mare Dancewiththedevil scored, and partnered the handsome Royal Victory to an eye-catching gallop before racing at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.
Trainer Nathan Kotzen looks to have his charge primed to fire.
The 2024 renewal sees Piere Strydom partnering Michael Roberts’ flagbearer See It Again (gate 6), while the fairer sex are well represented by Oisin Murphy’s mount Frances Ethel (gate 7), Beating Wings (gate 5), Silver Sanctuary (gate 9) and My Soul Mate (gate 11).
Here is the final field:
Grooms of each Betway Summer Cup runner will be acknowledged for their role in the ecosystem of the Sport Of Kings and will each be paid a record-breaking R20 000 incentive.
Horseracing fans and the general public looking forward to a fantastic day in the Gauteng summer can secure their spot at Ticketpro to purchase general access tickets from just R100, as well as the various Hospitality Packages.
Save the date – Saturday, 30 November! For additional information and ticket purchases, please visit www.betwaysummercup.co.za
