Summer Cup Hot! Hot! Hot!

KILLaRidge the lurker imo

Will have my usuall saver on Buy and Sell

All the top horses have a sprint up just before a big race then go on to win - Pocket Power 2007/8 Merchants, queens plate Met 2008/9 Diadem, Queensplate Met

Certain horse from KZN may have used a sprint to peak in the summer cup - definite place chance at least

2 Village idiots Tommy

Dont leave out Arabian Mist and Mpumelelo and Starzene..I make them big runners all at good prices..I do think MdK banker in fillies race though.

More to the point 66/1 for Clan, think the bookies are being mean, but what the hell, I am on plus 10/1 the place for first 4

On the subject of decent prices for the big day

Radiant Rock 4/1 trading at 11/1
Starzene 4/1 trading at 8/1
Bulsara 4/1 also 8/1

Oracy looks the part in R5-m Pick 6 RXP

JACK MILNER - Certain horses capture the imagination of the public. From the likes of Sea Biscuit in the USA, Pharlap in Australia, and Red Rum in the UK, the public treat these horses as they would a David Beckham and a Tiger Woods.

In South Africa we’ve had our share with runner like Elevation, Empress Club, London News and more recently, Pocket Power.

Oracy has the opportunity to join these legendary runners when he lines up in the R2-million Sansui Summer Cup at Turffontein on Saturday. There is something unique about this New Zealand-bred horse. It is not only that he is unbeaten in five starts but it is the manner of his victories. He is one of those rare finds who combine remarkable talent with sheer courage, qualities that separate them from the unremarkable.

Personally, barring some really bad luck in running, I believe Oracy will take this field apart. He has Anton Marcus up, a man for the big occasion, and is trained by current national champion Charles Laird.

Strangely, his trainer seems to hold a different opinion. `` I don’t agree that Oracy is the stable elect,’’ Laird told colleague Nicci Garner yesterday. ``People must understand that Anton rides at 55kg and above, so he gets the horses he can make the weight on.

``And Oracy has it all to do. He’s got 58kg and it’s not going to be easy. Plus he’s only had five runs - he’s still a baby - and while I’m hoping like hell, Rudi Rocks must be a massive runner with only 52.5kg.’’

However, that may just be Laird attempting to ward off the ``evil eye’’. Horseracing is a sport laden with superstition and perhaps Laird’s last comment best reflects that mood. ``I wish we could race today, rather than wait another 48 hours, because I worry things can happen.’’

Somehow after spending the last week form gazing, I have my reservations about Rudi Rocks. Firstly, he has always run those few lengths off the top runners and may lack that little extra class one needs to win a Summer Cup. He also looks suspect over 2000m although if there is not much pace on, it could suit him.

I prefer the chances of Eight Street who impressed with his Victory Moon Handicap win. Kevin Shea is in the irons and he will be ideally suited to this horse.

However, with a massive Pick 6 pool expected of around R5-million, courtesy of the R514,000 carried over from Wednesday Scottsville meeting, the Laird coupling looks a cosy banker.

Many people are writing off Meet At Malamala but punters ignore Mike de Kock at their peril. He has won this race eight times and any runner from his yard cannot be taken lightly. Anthony Delpech is in the saddle and with just 52kg to carry, he is one for the Trifectas and Quartets.

Then there’s Magical and Piere Strydom. If one reads Strydom’s view on page 12, one will notice that he is more hopeful than confident. Ormond Ferraris’ runner will not be an easy ride but he will be running on at the finish.

For the first time in ages I have ignored the chances of Buy And Sell but I still feel he has the class to run well here. ``He is at the very best he has ever been at the Highveld. He has been like this in Durban before, yes, but not the Highveld. Despite having to shoulder a big weight I am hoping for a big run from him,’’ says Sean Tarry.

Tarry could have better luck in the Defy Merchants (G2) over 1160m where he sends out Golden Loom Handicap winner Cool Spender. It is an open race but the Winter Romance gelding must be a serious contender. ``He could not be in better condition. He comes into this race with good form and has a winning chance,’’ said Tarry.

But perhaps with all the speed in the race it may suit Gary Alexander’s Arabian Mist, who will be kicking on when all around him are stopping. He looks reasonable value at 11-2, although Alexander admits he is taking a jump in class. ``He is very decent and I will be very happy with a placing.’’

This is an open affair though and punters need to stick as many runners as possible into the Pick 6. Cyber Case, Renegade, Sharks Bay and Carbon Leader all have claims.

Turffontein Saturday: What the trainers say


A wonderfully competitive 12-race programme faces punters at Turffontein tomorrow when five feature races, including the R2-million Sansui Summer Cup and R500,000 Vodacom Dingaans, will be run. With the Pick 6 pool likely to top R5 million there are some tough choices to be made. HAROLD STERLEY caught up with some of the trainers to discuss their horses.

Gary Alexander (Arabian Mist - Merchants; Senor Jet - Summer Cup): Arabian Mist is decent and has been working well but this will be the first time he takes on this class of field. I will be happy with a placing. Senor Jet is working exceptionally well. I was more than happy with his last run as he travelled wide for most of the way. He comes into this race with more than half a shout. Fort Worth (Race 2) is knocking at the door and must have a strong money chance. Radiant Rock and Superfederation (Race 3) are doing well at home and have claims to a decent enough stake cheque.

Ernie Anderson (Nyakatho - Dingaans; Valley Of Rubies - Fillies Mile): Nyakatho has a shocking draw to overcome and we have it all to do. This is his minimum trip so we’ll be taking our chances. He will be coming from off the pace and I hope to see him running on strongly. Rain would be most welcome as he is suited to any type of track. I was pleased with Valley Of Rubies’ last run behind Sidera as she made up a lot of ground on a soft track. I think she is a lively contender. She has earned us a stake in all six of her starts and the 1600m at this track is just right for her. Sadie Parker (Race 2) has ability and will improve with racing. She is one for the future.

Barend Botes (Catmandu - Summer Cup): When he came to me he was pretty unfit due to a rest and I have had little time to prepare him. I have squeezed two races out of him and he is racing a lot sounder. What is encouraging is that he has been jumping on terms with the field. From a good barrier position, hopefully he will find himself in a good, handy position so he does not have too much to find to challenge and perhaps run a forward race. Rains would be to our advantage.

Herman Brown (Lion’s Blood - Summer Cup): He has had three runs back from Dubai and has been disappointing, with only one decent effort. I have worked on him a lot and just want to get him back into the fold. Now he is fit enough for a forward showing and back on the Turffontein track, could come to life.

Doug Campbell (King Fernando - Dingaans): This is a tough race but we must take our chances. I think quite highly of him and will be more than happy with a place. I just hope he travels well from KwaZulu-Natal.

Mike de Kock (Fisani, Laverna and Sidera - Fillies Mile; Havasha - Dingaans; Meet At Malamala - Summer Cup; Dancing Lady, Elusive Model and La Foce - RA Handicap): We’ve got nice runners at the meeting and I’m pretty happy with all of them. Meet At Malamala has been disappointing in his prep but was sent about his business too soon in the Charity Mile and will be more conservatively ridden. He has a place chance. I won’t separate the fillies. Laverna needed her last run very badly (when fourth behind Captain’s Gal over 1400m) and has come on quite a bit since. Fisani’s run in the Ready To Run Cup was unbelievably good. Sidera is the one with the most scope, having only had two runs. Havasha is meeting a strong field - this is the best Dingaans I’ve seen in many years with horses like Galileo’s Galaxy, Curved Ball, Dream Island and Havasha. La Foce was coughing and missed work recently and my fillies, Dancing Lady and Elusive Model, are not guaranteed to stay the 3200m. We’re there to take our chances.

Leon Erasmus (Cheerful News - Dingaans; Zelwin – RA Handicap): Cheerful News is still a maiden but has finished second to Exhilaration and Pierre Jordaan and ran five lengths behind Bulsara in the Graham Beck Stakes. Form of that calibre is good enough to warrant a place in this field and I am hoping for a good run. The 1600m will suit him and he is fit and well. Sometimes Zelwin is just too far back to have any sort of chance. But he has finished in front of Santa and Western Walk before and we need a red-hot early pace in order for him to be in the race with any sort of a chance. He is well and the pace is will decide our fate.

Alec Laird (Carbon Leader - Merchants; Casey Da Lady - Fillies Mile; Captain Scott - Summer Cup): I couldn’t have Captain Scott much better. He seems to have improved since he was a three-year-old. He’s moving better and got a bit stronger. He must be a runner in the Summer Cup, provided he gets the 2000m – which I think he will, although he hasn’t been tested too often. He didn’t finish off too well in the Charity Mile, but soon after that I picked up that he was coughing badly. He had quite a bit of muck in his lungs but responded well to the treatment. It’s not ideal that it happened that close to the big one, but better than the week of the race. It’s pretty obvious that the first two in the betting, Oracy and Magical, are the horses to beat. Carbon Leader is pretty well, although 1200m is on short side for him. He did run nicely over the course and distance the other day and I’ve tried to keep him fresh. He’s well in himself and must come into the picture. Casey Da Lady is a small filly who doesn’t warrant being quoted at 33-1. She should be half those odds in my opinion. She hasn’t been lucky with the draws in the past and from a good draw this time will get much closer to Sidera (beat her five lengths last time).

Charles Laird (Oracy, Eight Street, Likeithot, Senor Versace and Rudi Rocks - Summer Cup; Galileo’s Galaxy and Curved Ball - Dingaans): Both Galileo’s Galaxy and Curved Ball are very nice horses. The one thing against them is their inexperience. They’ve only had two runs and the top two horses they’ll be taking on, Bulsara and Exhilaration, have had a dozen runs between them. Their lack of experience concerns me, but their preparations have gone well. I don’t agree that Oracy is the stable elect in the Summer Cup. People must understand that Anton rides at 55kg and above, so he gets the horses he can make the weight on. And Oracy has it all to do. He’s got 58kg and it’s not going to be easy. Plus he’s only had five runs - he’s still a baby - and while I’m hoping like hell, Rudi Rocks must be a massive runner with only 52.5kg. All their preparations have been good. I’m very happy. We were able to pick up the work we missed last week and there have been no problems.

Gavin van Zyl (Bulsara - Dingaans; Cape Town - Summer Cup): Bulsara is improving and certainly coming along the right way. He has done well since the Graham Beck Stakes and should be competitive. I am more than happy with his progress. Cape Town impressed me last week in a sprint at Turffontein. He has physically never been as good as we have him now. He has matured and developed into a really nice horse and will give a good account of himself.

Sean Tarry (Lady Bequick and Cool Spender - Merchants; Buy And Sell - Summer Cup; Membrado and Royal Captive – RA Handicap): I have tried hard to get Lady Bequick to peak fitness but fear she may just not be there just yet. This run will definitely bring her on. Cool Spender is in perfect nick and comes into this race with good form and a winning chance. Buy And Sell is at the best he has ever been at the Highveld. He has been like this in Durban before, yes, but not the Highveld. Despite having to shoulder a big weight I am hoping for a massive run. Membrado is better than his poor last run. This is no easy contest and despite the fact that there is no real confidence going into this race, he has a definite chance. Royal Captive has had a good prep and I believe too much use was made of him last time out. With Marcus in the saddle we will be firing on all cylinders. Trip Master (Race 1) ran a good race last Sunday and it may just be too soon for him to have his next run. I am content with Diamante’s (Race 2) debut effort and believe at this stage of her career she is a Quartet horse. All has gone well with Regal Ransom’s (Race prep and with a peach of a draw I believe he has a strong winning chance. Golden Compass (Race 10) is in an extremely competitive field and I believe we have a Quartet chance. Silver Ending (Race 11) faces a number of top competitors and the trainers I fear the most are Mike Azzie, Alec Laird and Paul Matchett. I have a useful sort on my hands, though, and clearly have a money chance. Tigress (Race 12) is a temperamental filly and I am not sure how she will handle the floodlights. We will learn a lot from this run.

Tyrone Zackey (Galanthus and Smanjemanje - Dingaans): Galanthus is one of my better horses. I don’t gallop the good one against each other back home but I can say that everything is going to plan with this individual. No excuses! We are ready for a big run. I’ve engaged Devin Habib for Smanjemanje. We had a small respiratory pallet problem with him but he has been treated and is looking more relaxed. I think at good odds he could run a big race. He will definitely be running on when a few others have called it a day. Last Saturday American Gangster (Race 3) raced too handily and got caught up in traffic. The pace was too slow and he was found wanting throughout. He will race closer to the back this time and I expect him to run on well late. Ultra Tune (Race 3) needed his last run badly and his work at home has been a lot better. Include in Quartets. Mpumelelo and Royal Rez (Race are at their very best and there is very little to choose between them. What confuses me is why my horses are giving weight to a number of horses who have finished in front of them previously? This makes their task tricky. But even with the weight disadvantage we will give them a good run for their money.

Dominic Zaki (Strike Paradise - Merchants; Exhilaration and Fort Petersburg - Dingaans; Burke’s Luck - RA Handicap): Strike Paradise’s preparation has gone nicely and the last run may have been a touch on the short side for him. There is a lot more to come from him and he is not without a chance. Exhilaration is blessed with a good draw and we have had a smooth prep with him. It will take a good horse to beat him. As a maiden winner Fort Petersburg is thrown in the deep end. He is a very nice horse but has been allocated a draw closer to the bushes, which is not going to be to his advantage. He should however run a decent race. Burke’s Luck stays very well and his work has been very good of late. Good place chance. Sensational Secret (Race 11) is proving to be a consistent mare and I am expecting her to be thereabouts. Sleek Sheik (Race 12) has put together two good performances to date and was a touch green in both starts. This is by no means an easy race. We will be happy to place.

Oracy will be put to stud after the Summer Cup .

Maybe I am reading it wrong. Sean Tarry mentions every runner on the day other than Aslan. Has Aslan been scratched or changed stables? I make Aslan a big runner and expect him to be running on well over the trip and was surprised to see no comment for him.

Hi Clan...

Best bet for the day...even better than DJ Detzky... Race 12: Nr.4 Rajinzky ... @ 66/1 the bet of the day...If only i was sure i can take Clan Classique with for the double????

Don't say i didn't tip u guys real outsider...lol

4900/1 the double

lol