Whopping R1 Million SAP Supreme Cup

THE Grade 2 R1 million Supreme Cup sponsored by SAP and to be run over 1 450m on the Vaal sand, in Vereeniging, on September 26 is going to be a fascinating contest.

The final field for the continent’s most prestigious sand race was unveiled on Wednesday, September 16, and it quickly became apparent that this was not only a class field but also an intriguing one.

The intrigue is provided by two horses that have never raced on the sand before, Willow Magic and Ultimate Dollar, and by the horse who stands to win a R100 000 bonus, Roman Carnival.

Willow Magic, from the yard of champion trainer Sean Tarry, is a Gr 1-winning sprint miler who is five but still at the top of his game.

Ultimate Dollar, from the new Highveld satellite yard of former champion trainer Justin Snaith, ended a luckless Champions Season campaign by romping home in the Gr 3 Tab Gold 2 200.

Roman Carnival is out to land the R100 000 bonus offered by World Sports Betting for any horse that can win both the Gr 3 World Sports Betting August Stakes over 1 200m and the Supreme Cup. He destroyed them in the August Stakes last month and will relish the step up in trip, but Roman Carnival does have it a bit tougher at the weights and has to overcome a wide draw.

Another intriguing entry is Deputy Jud, the Gr 1 SA Derby-runner up. His stablemate Isphan has enjoyed a good preparation and looks nicely weighted over a suitable distance, and he could overcome his wide draw with his speed and ability to run.

Toro Rosso was a convincing winner over course and distance in his last start and either he or Mootahadee, who was also an impressive winner over course and distance last time out, could give Mike de Kock a third victory in this race.

Precursor is a speedster in the mould of last year’s winner Tommy Gun and will be most interesting to watch. Jade Vine is also in this category and should have come on from his last run after a five month layoff.

Uncle Tommy finished third and second in the last two runnings, but looks a bit high in the weights these days. All The Bids is another horse who looks to have it tough at the weights.

TapTap Makhatini finished sixth last year and he runs well although his wide draw makes it tough.

Lavender Landscape loves the Vaal sand but would prefer a longer distance and the handicapper might have his measure.

Solar Triptych has a tough task on paper but is relatively lightly raced and open to further improvement and should have come on from his last start.