Young tyros bump heads in epic Beck battle at Charity Mile

One of the many highlights on Charity Mile day at Turffontein on Saturday is the Graham Beck Stakes (Grade 3).

The headline event might be wide open and difficult for the punter, but the three-year-old contest is something of a match race and exotic bets look safe with just the two selections. The more money is wagered on the one, the more support comes for the other.

Sandringham Summit and Main Defender started out at around 17-10 apiece in the ante-post market for the Graham Beck. Now, with the race a day away, the combatants have both been punted in to 14-10.

The market and the form book suggest a two-horse race.

The only time the pair have met thus far, Sandringham Summit gave Main Defender a smack – in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes at Greyville at the end of July.

Since then, however, things have changed. Trainer Tony Peter has given Main Defender a comeback run after a short rest and the son of Pathfork turned heads when trotting up in open company at Turffontein.

It looks like he has matured quickly in recent months – and obviously has an affinity to his home course.

David Nieuwenhuizen, meanwhile, has kept his powder dry with Sandringham Summit and has been known to win with a fresh horse.

Will the well-bred colt by Gimmethegreenlight have improved as well or as much? Put your money down; take your pick.

Best in SA?

Are these the two best three-year-olds in the country, as some fans have argued?

The truth is, it’s way too soon to be making those sort of judgements. For starters, fellow Highveld trainer Sean Tarry has hightailed it to Cape Town with Tail Of The Comet, who could be a contender for the title, and his other smart youngster, Lucky Lad, is unluckily laid up with an injury.

The field for Sunday’s Cape Classic (Grade 3) at Durbanville doesn’t have any individual leaping off the page as competition for the two Joburg rising stars, but one can never count out the potential for late developers in the outstanding stables down south.

And, as time goes on, Mike de Kock’s promising fillies Champagne Cocktail (a full sister to July winner Sparkling Water) and White Pearl might come to challenge the boys.

White Pearl runs in the Princess Charlene Starling Stakes (Grade 3) on Saturday’s Turffontein card and should account for her Highveld female peers.

Incidentally, De Kock also saddles the only real threat to the top two in the Graham Beck – Gimmeanotherchance. Another son of Gimmethegreenlight, this fellow is a sneaky 4-1, which in the circumstances indicates noteworthy bullishness up Randjesfontein way.