All the weekend action at Turffontein has been postponed. Picture: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
The suspense and excitement of Cup Day will now play out at Turffontein on Tuesday and the 2021 edition of Joburg’s greatest horseracing event has virtually every ingredient fans of the sport adore.
The Summer Cup, presented by World Sports Betting again this year, has the leading role in a production that contains five other feature events and comprises 10 races in all.
Here, get the inside track on all the runners in the Gauteng Summer Cup:
Trainer: J Soma
Jockey: B Fayd’Herbe
Draw: 10
Twice narrowly beaten in the Durban July, this five-year-old is top drawer and will be a formidable rival at best. Genuine excuses when unplaced last but bit disappointing nonetheless.
Lifetime: 20 Runs; 8 Wins; 10 Places
Earnings: R3,410,500
Trainer: M de Kock
Jockey: G Lerena
Draw: 1
Star colt. Won SA Triple Crown for three-year-olds last season and bids to give trainer Mike de Kock his 10th Cup success. One run since six-month break, may not be at a peak.
Lifetime: 10 Runs; 7 Wins; 0 Places
Earnings: R1,487,100
Trainer: Paul Matchett
Jockey: Muzi Yeni
Draw: 5
Champion filly and has won eight of 12 races at this track, including last season’s SA Triple Tiara. Won well recently after a rest and the boys will have to go to beat her.
Lifetime: 17 Runs; 10 Wins; 6 Places
Earnings: R1,851,300
Trainer: Dorrie Sham
Jockey: Chase Maujean
Draw: 18
Courageous win from poor draw in a 1600m feature at this track a month ago and had seven Cup rivals behind him. Wide draw of little account here but may not stay this 2000m.
Lifetime: 17 Runs; 4 Wins; 8 Places
Earnings: R815,850
Trainer: Joe Soma
Jockey: Julius Mariba
Draw: 3
Classy stayer. Has won two of four races over this distance, but is better over further and has first run since five lengths back in 3200m Gold Cup four months ago. Tough task.
Lifetime: 21 Runs; 6 Wins; 8 Places
Earnings: R434,750
Trainer: Johan Janse van Vuuren
Jockey: Raymond Danielson
Draw: 15
Strong claims on a close second to GOT THE GREENLIGHT (2.5kg worse off) in the 2000m Champions Challenge seven months ago, but has not run to that level in last three races.
Lifetime: 14 Runs; 5 Wins; 6 Places
Earnings: R764,900
Trainer: Sean Tarry
Jockey: Craig Zackey
Draw: 13
Won the Dingaans and second in the SA Derby two seasons ago. Rested after winning a feature on July Day this year and has had two prep runs since. Beware this gelding.
Lifetime: 17 Runs; 4 Wins; 7 Places
Earnings: R726,875
Trainer: Johan Janse van Vuuren
Jockey: Keagan de Melo
Draw: 17
Promising sort and still improving, but cut little ice in a 1600m feature at this track four weeks ago. Prefer this distance but needs to raise his game quickly if he’s to shape here.
Lifetime: 8 Runs; 4 Wins; 3 Places
Earnings: R228,300
Trainer: Paul Peter
Jockey: Warren Kennedy
Draw: 6
From the yard of last year’s Cup winner Summer Pudding, this five-year-old is bang in form with two seconds and two thirds from his last four runs. Handy weight, do well.
Lifetime: 27 Runs; 6 Wins; 12 Places
Earnings: R715,350
Trainer: Barend Botes/Yolandi Vosloo
Jockey: Ryan Munger
Draw: 12
A win and three seconds from his last four starts and touched off by SPARKLING WATER (4kg worse off) in an 1800m feature last time. Oldest horse in the field.
Lifetime: 32 Runs; 7 Wins; 14 Places
Earnings: R616,025
Trainer: Ashley Fortune
Jockey: Diego De Gouveia
Draw: 11
Former Cape runner who made an impressive winning debut in Joburg in a 1600m minor race recently. No problems with this longer trip, but takes a big step up in class.
Lifetime: 33 Runs; 3 Wins; 17 Places
Earnings: R1,130,750
Trainer: Mike de Kock
Jockey: Kabelo Matsunyane
Draw: 19
Smart filly and never unplaced, last time edging out GOLDEN PHEASANT (4kg better off) in the 1800m Victory Moon Stakes. Tougher task these weights but can improve
Lifetime: 9 Runs; 4 Wins; 5 Places
Earnings: R511,625
Trainer: Sean Tarry
Jockey: Calvin Habib
Draw: 4
Comes into the picture on some form, including a fourth to MALMOOS (5kg worse off) in last season’s 1800m SA Classic. Last two efforts not as good but can improve.
Lifetime: 15 Runs; 2 Wins; 6 Places
Earnings: R281,350
Trainer: Sean Tarry
Jockey: Grant van Niekerk
Draw: 8
Beat SPARKLING WATER (3.5kg better off) by five lengths in an 1800m feature here in March and warrants respect on that level of form. Last two runs fair and can improve.
Lifetime: 10 Runs; 4 Wins; 2 Places
Earnings: R215,500
Trainer: Sean Tarry
Jockey: Ashton Arries
Draw: 9
This six-year-old has not won for nearly two years and fitting him with blinkers in a 1600m feature here recently brought no improvement. Hard to see him making any impact.
Lifetime: 31 Runs; 6 Wins; 14 Places
Earnings: R779,412
Trainer: Sean Tarry
Jockey: Serino Moodley
Draw: 16
Finished a distant third in the Summer Cup last year, but hasn’t shaped in his two races this season and finished a long way behind in the recent Victory Moon Stakes.
Lifetime: 20 Runs; 4 Wins; 8 Places
Earnings: R400,350
Trainer: Tyrone Zackey
Jockey: Denis Schwarz
Draw: 7
Useful six-time winner and beat SHANGO (4kg better off) in the 1800m Jubilee Handicap at this track in June. Stays 2000m but should battle to confirm that form with SHANGO.
Lifetime: 23 Runs; 6 Wins; 9 Places
Earnings: R448,325
Trainer: Mike de Kock
Jockey: S’manga Khumalo
Draw: 14
Smart four-year-old and bidding for a hat trick when fourth in a 1600m feature here a month ago. Tries 2000m for the first time and failed at 1800m in only previous race past 1600m.
Lifetime: 8 Runs; 3 Wins; 3 Places
Earnings: R198,000
Trainer: Paul Peter
Jockey: Sean Veale
Draw: 2
Running thereabouts but has not won for more than 600 days, has yet to show he’s effective at 2000m and has done little to suggest he can make an impact in a race of this stature.
Lifetime: 37 Runs; 4 Wins; 16 Places
Earnings: R655,188
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