Kolkata for Gold Cup

Contenders for the Cup...IMO
Seal
Blake
Gorongosa
Vettel
Kolkata
and hopefully Sage Throne too.

I with Muhti here... I really rate Seal as a race horse... but methinks he is weighted out of the winners enclosure. may well finish in the money but....... not the winner.

By DT


The Grade 2 Mango Gold Vase winner Seal returned to his Turffontein base straight after the 3000m race on Vodacom Durban July day, despite trainer Gavin van Zyl running his chief operation from Summerveld, and will raid for the Ladbrokes Gold Cup as he did for the Gold Vase.



Van Zyl said about the decision to take Seal back to Turffontein, “Seal does very well in Turffontein’s environment and is used to the tracks there.”



The former top jockey has studied the patterns of raiders from the Highveld to Durban over a period of about three decades, going back to when he used to ride for the many times Transvaal champion trainer Jean Heming.



“Mrs Heming never used to campaign in Durban and neither did Ormond Ferraris. I have noticed that horses can raid twice without a problem and it only becomes a problem if tried for a third time.”



He pointed to the performance of the Corné Spies-trained Straight Set, second in the Grade 1 Tsogo Sun Medallion over 1200m at Scottsville on May 26 and second in the Grade 1 Durban Golden Slipper over 1400m at Greyville on July day, as further backup to this theory.



“And she’s a two-year-old filly,” he added.



Seal, a four-year-old Silvano gelding, clearly relished the step up in trip of the Gold Vase in which he produced a resolute finish, catching In Writing late to win by 0,75 lengths with the rest of the field a further 2,5 lengths back. He carried second top-weight there and was given a three point raise, which means he will have to carry top-weight of 60kg in the Ladrokes Gold Cup.



In Writing will be 1kg better off with him for a 0,75 length beating in the Gold Vase, Kolkata will be 1kg better off for a 3,25 length beating and Ilsanpietro will be 1,5kg better off for a 3,75 length beating.



Seal is drawn wide in 17 but Van Zyl was not too concerned.



“We would have preferred a better draw, but he will stay out of trouble from there.”



Robbie Fradd retains the ride on Seal.



Van Zyl’s other Grade 1 runner on the day will be the two-year-old King Of King’s gelding Heavenisaracehorse, who runs in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m.



This horse is doing well at Turffontein and the form of his maiden win, which came in his second start over 1400m on July 7, has worked out well with three winners having come out of that race in just four subsequent starts.



The two-year-old colt’s division does not appear to be as strong as the fillies this season, although the Grade 1 Golden Horseshoe winner War Horse looks a decent sort who should relish the extra 200m.



Heavenisaracehorse is drawn eight in a field that has cut up to just 12 runners and will be ridden by Brandon Lerena.

Corinne Bestel said that her Ladbrokes Gold Cup contender Sun City had come on from his last outing but she does have her doubts about his suitability to the tight Greyville circuit and he also has a very tough draw of 20 to contend with over the marathon 3200m journey.



The seven-year-old Kahal gelding finished a 6,5 length seventh in the Grade 2 Mango Gold Vase on Vodacom Durban July day, where he was also drawn widest of all, and will now be 1,5kg better off with the winner of that race, Seal.



“He ran a very good race there,” said Bestel. “The jockey elected to take him down the inside where he had no company and that cost him a bit of ground. He otherwise might have run a place.”



Bestel said that he was definitely a much fitter horse now than he was for that race.



She also reckoned that his Gold Cup jockey Glen Hatt would suit him down to the ground, for as a type that always did his best work late he needed a vigorous ride to get him into the race.



However, she added that he would prefer a longer straight.



Sun City has won four times over staying trip from 2400-2500m and might appreciate rain as he has won in soft going before.



However he is still a rank outsider and is as long as 75-1 with the Bookmakers.

hibernia Wrote:

---

> By DT
>
>
> The Grade 2 Mango Gold Vase winner Seal returned
> to his Turffontein base straight after the 3000m
> race on Vodacom Durban July day, despite trainer
> Gavin van Zyl running his chief operation from
> Summerveld, and will raid for the Ladbrokes Gold
> Cup as he did for the Gold Vase.
>
>
>
> Van Zyl said about the decision to take Seal back
> to Turffontein, “Seal does very well in
> Turffontein’s environment and is used to the
> tracks there.”
>
>
>
> The former top jockey has studied the patterns of
> raiders from the Highveld to Durban over a period
> of about three decades, going back to when he used
> to ride for the many times Transvaal champion
> trainer Jean Heming.
>
>
>
> “Mrs Heming never used to campaign in Durban and
> neither did Ormond Ferraris. I have noticed that
> horses can raid twice without a problem and it
> only becomes a problem if tried for a third
> time.”
>
>
>
> He pointed to the performance of the Corné
> Spies-trained Straight Set, second in the Grade 1
> Tsogo Sun Medallion over 1200m at Scottsville on
> May 26 and second in the Grade 1 Durban Golden
> Slipper over 1400m at Greyville on July day, as
> further backup to this theory.
>
>
>
> “And she’s a two-year-old filly,” he added.
>
>
>
> Seal, a four-year-old Silvano gelding, clearly
> relished the step up in trip of the Gold Vase in
> which he produced a resolute finish, catching In
> Writing late to win by 0,75 lengths with the rest
> of the field a further 2,5 lengths back. He
> carried second top-weight there and was given a
> three point raise, which means he will have to
> carry top-weight of 60kg in the Ladrokes Gold
> Cup.
>
>
>
> In Writing will be 1kg better off with him for a
> 0,75 length beating in the Gold Vase, Kolkata will
> be 1kg better off for a 3,25 length beating and
> Ilsanpietro will be 1,5kg better off for a 3,75
> length beating.
>
>
>
> Seal is drawn wide in 17 but Van Zyl was not too
> concerned.
>
>
>
> “We would have preferred a better draw, but he
> will stay out of trouble from there.”
>
>
>
> Robbie Fradd retains the ride on Seal.
>
>
>
> Van Zyl’s other Grade 1 runner on the day will
> be the two-year-old King Of King’s gelding
> Heavenisaracehorse, who runs in the Grade 1
> Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m.
>
>
>
> This horse is doing well at Turffontein and the
> form of his maiden win, which came in his second
> start over 1400m on July 7, has worked out well
> with three winners having come out of that race in
> just four subsequent starts.
>
>
>
> The two-year-old colt’s division does not appear
> to be as strong as the fillies this season,
> although the Grade 1 Golden Horseshoe winner War
> Horse looks a decent sort who should relish the
> extra 200m.
>
>
>
> Heavenisaracehorse is drawn eight in a field that
> has cut up to just 12 runners and will be ridden
> by Brandon Lerena.

Very interesting Hiberia, thanks for this...

By David Thiselton

Colin Scott has always reckoned the Ladbrokes Gold Cup would be the ideal big race target for his four-year-old Dynasty gelding Sage Throne and a good draw of five was a bonus to the big bay’s chances in the country’s premier staying race.



Sage Throne didn’t enjoy much luck in the Vodacom Durban July but came out of the race well.



Scott said, “He didn’t have a particularly hard race in the July and is doing very well. The secret for his July chances was to hold his position, but with all those good horses drawn wide they went pretty quick in the early stages and he ended up having to come from second last. He gets stronger and stronger down the straight, but had too much ground to make up and ended 6,5 lengths back. But he took the run well. We worked him on Saturday and Sean (Cormack) was very happy with him. This has always been the race for him and I’m confident he will run a good race. It’s always tough in the big races when you have to take on the likes of Mike de Kock. But the main thing is he stays the trip.”



The early pace won’t be as furious as in the July and Sage Throne should hold his position this time.



Scott said, “He jumps well and is drawn well. He settles as soon as you ask him.”



Sage Throne was a touch unlucky when running on strongly to finish a 0,25 length second to the ruling Gold Cup favourite Blake in the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m at Greyville on June 2 as his momentum was effected in the closing stages by some outward movement.



He is now 3kg better off with Blake so has an excellent chance on paper, especially considering Scott has always believed that the further the better for him.

Mike de Kock has four strong contenders for the Ladbrokes Gold Cup on Saturday, Vettel, Gorongosa, Ilsanpietro, and Captain’s Wild, and they are difficult to separate, although regular stable jockeys Anthony Delpech and Kevin Shea are both happy with the mounts they have been allocated.



Delpech will be aboard Gorongosa, who is the third favourite at 11-2, and was pleased with her most recent workout.



“She stays well and has done well,” he said. “I have won on her before and am very happy to be on her.”



De Kock’s Summerveld assistant trainer Nathan Kotzen said, “Gorongosa was a bit disappointing in the July, but she was bumped around a bit. She has never been a good work horse, but she has come out of the July well and is doing well.”



The Irish-bred Montjeu mare has reeled off ten victories in her 14 starts and is particularly effective over staying trips, winning seven times over 2400m and further, including twice over the 3200m distance of the Gold Cup.



She is drawn in barrier 12, but settles well so this should not be much of a disadvantage.



She has a fine turn of foot, so should also handle the tight Greyville track with its short run in.



Gorongosa will carry 56.5kg off her 101 merit rating.



Shea rides Ilsanpietro, who was favourite for the race last year but this year is a 10-1 shot.



The five-year-old Brazilian-bred gelding by Mark Of Esteem has a tough draw of 15.



Shea said, “I am very happy to be on him. The draw is tough as he is a tricky horse. If you chase him he pulls, but you don’t want to be too far back either. I will need a fast pace.”



Ilsanpietro has a touch of class about him and loves this sort of trip.



Last year he finished a close fourth, despite being drawn 17, and he was carrying only 0,5kg less than this year.



Kotzen said that the three-year-old Argentinian-bred Vettel had pulled up very well from his good Vodacom Durban July effort, in which he stayed on well from a handy position for a 1,4 length sixth.



He added that he had been working well.



Vettel is the second favourite at 5-1 and will be ridden by the ruling Champion Jockey Anton Marcus.



His two most impressive career performances to date have come in facile wins over the tough Turffontein 2600m and over 2500m at Clairwood, so he looks likely to enjoy this trip.



He is a galloping sort so his good draw of seven should allow him to get into the handy position that best suits his style.



Furthermore the 55,5kg he carries is just 0,5kg above Marcus’ optimum riding weight and its always an ideal situation when the horse does not have to carry much deadweight.



De Kock’s other contender is the five-year-old Captain Al gelding Captain’s Wild, who looks to have enjoyed a fine preparation.



Kotzen said, “I’m sure he’ll like the trip as he always runs on late.”



Captain’s Wild’s father Captain Al was a sprint-miler, but he has thrown a few staying types including Captain Cook, who won the Grade 2 J&B Reserve Stayers over 2800m.



Furthermore Captain’s Wild’s dam, Wild Deb, who is by Esplendor, won over 2400m.



Captain’s Wild is a 12-1 shot and will be ridden by Karis Teetan from draw 18.



He can be slightly headstrong in the early stages, but Delpech, riding him in the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup over 2400m on June 2, was able to tuck him in near the back from a wide draw of 13.



He has a good turn of foot and ran on strongly in the straight to finish a 0,4 length fourth to the ruling Gold Cup favourite Blake.



He was a touch unlucky in that race as there was a bit of outward movement meaning he had to veer outward at the 200m mark.



He is now 2kg better off with Blake.



Teetan rode him in his last start in the Grade 3 Schweppes 2200 on July day and from a good draw had him on the rail in a handy position in a slow run race from where he stayed on strongly for a 1,6 length fourth to the smart three-year-old Tribal Dance.



De Kock has won the Gold Cup twice with Thundering Star in 2007 and Ancestral Fore in 2010.

Grant Van Niekerk no rides Croc Valley

Hollywood and Winning Form Trainer comments

Gold Cup betting facts

interesting reading trainers comments,
Thanks Hibs

English Garden scratched from the Champions Cup

Sean Tarry will be hoping to reproduce last season’s one-two in the Ladbrokes Gold Cup, which would also give him a rare Vodacom Durban July-Gold Cup double, and he has big runners in all of the other three Grade 1s on Super Saturday at Greyville this weekend.



Aslan won the 3200m Gold Cup last year, with Kolkata second, but the latter is quoted at 13-2 this year, while the former is a 25-1 chance after disappointing in the Mango Gold Vase over 3000m on July day.



Aslan, who won the Grade 1 Summer Cup as a four-year-old, won at odds of 45-1 last year, so is the type that can surprise when at his best.



Tarry said of the six-year-old Silvano gelding, “He has had a good preparation, although his last run was a bit disappointing. I didn’t expect that run and couldn’t find anything obvious wrong, so have to put a line through it.”



Kolkata, a four-year-old Requiem gelding, finished a 3,25 length third in the Gold Vase and will now be 1kg better off with the winner Seal.



He looks to have enjoyed the perfect preparation and is drawn well in six with Tarry’s Vodacom Durban July winning jockey Pierre Strydom aboard.



Tarry said, “The draw gives him a chance to do whatever he wants to do.”



Tarry runs the three-year-old Right Approach gelding Whiteline Fever in the Grade 1 Champions Cup over 1800m, for which he is the 4-1 favourite.



He was unlucky in the Vodacom Durban July when squeezed out in the straight and would surely have run a place at least but for that.



He is drawn in nine and has Anton Marcus up.



Tarry said, “He came through the race well. He is fresh and doing well. I may just put the blinkers on to help him concentrate.”



He said that the four-year-old Black Minnaloushe gelding Gold Onyx had also taken his July run well.



He finished a head in front of Whiteline Fever in seventh place and has a liking for the Greyville track.



He has Strydom up from draw eight and will be 1kg better off with Whiteline Fever from their July meeting.



His eight-year-old National Emblem gelding Buy And Sell won this race in 2008, so will enjoy the trip.



“He is in good shape and at least if he gets to the front he will ensure a good gallop.”

A good pace would suit both of Tarry’s leading contenders.



Tarry reckoned a line could be drawn through The Hangman’s run in the Grade 1 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Horseshoe over 1400m on July day.



“He was done at the pens and done in the straight. It was a very rough race and he bore the brunt of it.”



Tarry was confident the Jallad gelding would bounce back.



“He has done well since that race. He has to reverse form with War Horse but War Horse has a tougher draw and some horses can take the travelling up and down and others can’t.”



Tarry runs the Black Minnaloushe filly Fire Wheel in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes over 1600m.



“The 1400m in the Golden Slipper was a little bit fast, so she was well back and looked like one of the fastest finishers. She is a staying type and as a strong galloper can be a lot handier.”



Fire Wheel ran disappointingly in her penultimate start over 1450m at Clairwood but not much went right for her that day.



“She needed it and Brandon (Lerena) hurt himself at the gates and then the saddle slipped.”



Tarry is bullish about Heavy Metal’s chances in the Listed Darley Arabian over 1900m, despite him being 3,5kg under sufferance with the best in Tribal Dance.



“It’s a nice small field so there may not be much pace, but he quickens up well. He is in good shape and is a decent horse.”



His Australian-bred Dubawi filly Happy Archer has won two Grade 1s over the Greyville 1600m before and tries further than that for the first time in the Grade 2 Gold Bracelet over 2000m.



There doesn’t look to be much pace in the race, which will suit her and she has regular pilot Anton Marcus aboard from a good draw.