Emerald Cup Nominations

IN A Rush, winner of last year’s Emerald Cup, could be back on the Highveld in an attempt to complete the double in this Grade 2 race to be run on the Vaal sand over 1 450m on Saturday September 27.

The Port Elizabeth-based runner held off top-weight Pylon by 0.75 lengths in his only run at the course, and trainer Gavin Smith has decided it could be worth bringing him up to the Highveld once again.

The increased stake money of R1 million has undoubtedly pricked the interest of trainers all over the country, because among the 25 nominations are runners from every centre in South Africa. Another Port Elizabeth-based trainer, Yvette Bremner, has nominated Blaze Of Fire, while there are three entries from KwaZulu-Natal: Rio Carnival, trained by Charles Laird, Kom Naidoo, trained Storm Surf, winner on the Greyville Polytrack last Sunday, and Zestful from the Duncan Howells yard.

Mike Bass has nominated Midnight Run, who ran a seven-length fourth behind Anger in last Saturday’s Grade 3 August Stakes over 1 200m on the Vaal sand.

Champion trainer Justin Snaith added a second entry from a Western Cape-based trainer when he nominated M’Lords Throat.

The Northern Cape is represented by Kingofmountain, an entry from the Kimberley-based stable of Cliffie Miller. The five-year-old son of Ravishing is a six-time winner and has a sand merit rating of 99.

However, Highveld-based trainers are also aiming to claim the lion’s share of the R1 million on offer, and there are some surprises. Sean Tarry has nominated six runners and five of them – Across The Ice, Always Al, Jackodore, Samogan and Taptap Makhatini – have proven sand form. But he has also entered classy Whiteline Fever, who has yet to run on the surface, but who has performed well against some of the best horses in the country.

Although he has not been able to win any, the son of Right Approach has contested 18 Grade 1 races and is winner of two Grade 2 events. If he takes to the sand, Whiteline Fever will be a contender.

Anger, winner of the August Stakes, is one of three entries from the Corne Spies yard, the others being All The Bids and Tommy Gun.

Another interesting nomination is last season’s Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner, Arcetri Pink, one of three entries from the Geoff Woodruff stable.

The other two are Killua Castle and Shadow of his Smile.

Weiho Marwing could also end up with a strong hand in the race as he has entered last year’s third-placed Uncle Tommy, and Isobar, who finished second to Anger in the August Stakes.

When determining the final field Phumelela Gaming and Leisure reserves the right to have an input, taking into consideration among others, factors such as current merit rating, current sand form and competitiveness in graded and listed stakes races.

Supplementary entries closed on Monday September 8 after which the weights will be published. Draws will be done electronically by the NRB.

Declarations close at 11:00 on Wednesday September 17.