Trainer’s comments on their runners in the bigger races on Champions day at Turffontein:
MAY 4, 2018
PREMIER’S CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE (Grade 1) 2000m
Sean Tarry
I believe Legal Eagle is the horse to beat. Maybe last year I was a little over-confident but this year everything has gone well and he’s very fit. My only concern is that his coat has turned a little wintery but I’m hoping it’s just the weather. On her last run Safe Harbour was not far behind horses like Nother Russia. She does give us signs of a breathing problem from time to time but that seems to be okay at the moment. French Navy hasn’t shown us much in his last couple of starts but has run well in this race in the past.
Mike de Kock
This race is Nother Russia’s swansong. It will be her fourth run in six weeks. We’ve been quite hard on her but she is looking very good. I just hope she will be as good a broodmare as her mother. She meets Legal Eagle at the same weights as when they met in the Horse Chestnut and that puts quite a few of them close to one another. She does carry 2kg more than last year because of the Grade 1 penalty. She’s a stronger filly than last year and I hope she’s made the necessary improvement and is better than the weight-for-age adjustment. I think any one of six horses can win this race. This is also likely to be Orchid Island’s last run. It’s up to (owner) Mary Slack. She’s done us proud, won a Grade 1. But she will probably find this race tough at the weights.
Tim Woodruff (Assistant trainer to Geoff Woodruff)
Deo Juvente needed his last run and is coming back to his best.
Mike Azzie
Abashiri is the best I’ve had him since he won the Triple Crown. It’s the first time in a long time that I’m confident of a good run from him.
Robbie Sage
Coral Fever is doing well and has done nothing wrong recently. I am expecting a good showing from him.
Tyrone Zackey
Glider Pilot has been thrown in the deep end. He is out at the weights but we are taking a chance.
St John Gray
Dawn Assault may be a bit outclassed but has come well as a four-year-old so we are giving it a go and hopefully he surprises us.
COMPUTAFORM SPRINT (Grade 1) 1000m
Justin Snaith
We’re raiding from KwaZulu-Natal. I’m hoping both Sergeant Hardy and Bishop’s Bounty travel well. I do think 1000m could prove a bit short for Bishop’s Bounty but he is fit and doing well. I wouldn’t bring Sergeant Hard to Joburg if I didn’t think he could win this race.
Sean Tarry
The reason for Exquisite Touch’s slow start is that we took her to Cape Town where she did not do well. When I brought her back I had to give her some time to get over the experience. Two runs back when she was touched off by Tahini Anthony (Delpech) knew he had to hold her up but when the horse in front of him moved he no longer had cover and let her go a bit early. Her last run was very good and it would have brought her to her peak. The pressure is probably off now with Trip To Heaven. He’s let us down enough times so I’m quite relaxed going into this race. We’ve got Justin’s horses to beat but at least this time we’re meeting him in our back yard.
Mike de Kock
Naafer was super, super fit for the Cape Flying Championship at Kenilworth and the race turned into a total debacle with the false start. This horse only has two speeds, very fast and very slow. He is better off at the weights with some of these runners based on his last start but I’m not convinced he’s good enough right now to turn the tables.
Gary Alexander
Champagne Haze has got a chance at the weights in this race. He has got good form over the course and distance (two runs – a win and a second) and I was happy with his last run.
Joey Ramsden
I was pleased with the runs of both Attenborough and Speedpoint on their Highveld debuts. This is the race they’re here for and I’m hopeful both will run well.
Mike Azzie
Down To Zero is very honest and he can should give another bold showing.
Candice Dawson
Rocky Valley was a very nice winner leading into this race and is very well.
Grant Maroun
Golden Man is in a tough race but we are very hopeful. Both Wrecking Ball and Queen Laurie have good place chances.
SA DERBY (Grade 1) 2450m
Paul Peter
We were considering running Majestic Mambo in the Premier’s Champions Challenge but after chatting to Anton Marcus we decided the Derby was the better option. He is very well and shows no ill-effects of the fall in the SA Classic.
Mike de Kock
Like A Panther is out of a Galileo mare and has no stamina doubts at all in my opinion. He needed his last run. Noble Secret has been running on steadily in his races. He was accelerating together with Majestic Mambo before the incident in which Anthony Delpech came off. I thought Majestic Mambo was accelerating better, though. Noble Secret will definitely stay. I think Royal Crusade will run very well. In the Classic he was making the pace with Alshibaa. Alshibaa went to the front and Anton was chasing him. I’m not convinced he will stay. He will be a nice horse when he’s been gelded. There are some quality horses in the race who are not certain to stay and those who do stay, will do their best to test the stamina.
Sean Tarry
Forafewdollarsmore has had a good preparation and will see out the trip. Silver God is well held on form but I’m hoping, being a Silvano out of a Fort Wood mare, there is some stamina there but he’s not certain to stay. I feel I’ve got him better than last time. Throng has given me one reasonable run. He was inconvenienced last time, but is a horse who settles well and that could be in his favour. They are optimistic entries but we’re hoping for the best.
Robbie Sage
Greenwood Drive is out at the weights but should stay this distance.
Mike Azzie
The Rocketman has been aimed at this race. I’m expecting a big run.
Ashley Fortune
I have no doubt Cash Time will stay 2450m. I know there are bigger horses than him in the race, but he’s got an even bigger heart. I’m expecting him to put his best foot forward. He has been doing well at home. Andrew (Fortune) has been working him and we’re happy. We didn’t have to do too much with him because Gary Alexander (former trainer) had him in great shape.
Gary Alexander
On pedigree Hero’s Honour should have no issues with the trip, but it’s very hard to win these sorts of races. He’s working very well and we’ll be taking our chances.
WILGERBOSDRIFT SA OAKS (Grade 2) 2450m
Mike de Kock
The only thing Takingthepeace has in her favour is the way she accelerates. The question is will she have enough left to do it over 2450m? Sometimes you can get away with it. But whatever happens we’ve had a very good time with her. If you can looks past Silver Thursday’s last race where she was a little flat, then she must have a chance. She’s bounced back very well with her work in the morning and I do believe she will stay.
Sean Tarry
Aurelia Cotta has had a good preparation. We need to see whether she will stay but has she has the class to be competitive. Chariot Of Gold is very well and I make her a very good Eachway chance. She will stay. Forest Express is a filly I always felt would stay but she was too handy in her last start and perhaps did too much too early. She won’t be far off them.
Tim Woodruff
Secret Potion’s work is good and so was her last run. She is fit and well – holding thumbs! Sunshine Silk (Reserve) will stay the trip and could run into the money, if she gets in.
Alison Wright
Flichity By Farr has been with Geoff Woodruff for the last few weeks and by all accounts she is doing very well. This race has always been her mission so we are hoping for the best. She comes back to me next week.
Chesney Van Zyl
Pilgrim’s Progress disappointed us last time but has been carrying top-weight in her recent runs so back at level weights we are expecting an improved run. Azkur has been sweating up before her runs recently so we are hoping for a better run but she is not well drawn. Mar Del Sur has been racing from the front recently and I am not convinced she is a sprinter so we will change the tactics with her. She is a good worker and is well drawn.
African Dynasty ran well in the Oaks Trial so we are expecting her to be in the money.
Stanley Ferreira
Our Shining Star is fit and ready for this and I am hoping for another good honest run.
SA NURSERY (Grade 2) 1160m
Sean Tarry
Chimichuri Run was a very impressive winner over 1000m and on pedigree should be suited to the extra distance. Cirillo was maybe unlucky not to win last time but does have a lot of ability and I believe he’s got a chance. In Cahoots had an impressive win on debut when not ready for that sort of performance. He should improve and is not out of it. Royal Italian seems held but over the little bit of extra ground could win a cheque.
Chesney Van Zyl
Bold Eagle is doing well and I am very happy with him.
Mike de Kock
Hit The Green has impressed us with the way he wins. What he’s beaten doesn’t inspire so I would be chuffed with a first-four placing
Robbie Sage
Dewali has run behind Bold Eagle twice but I am hoping for another good run. William The Silent was a bit disappointing last time so I am hoping for a better run.
Candice Dawson
Epic Dream would prefer further but we are hoping for a good run from him.
Tyrone Zackey
Louis The Seventh won a nice race on debut. He is looking for further but takes his chances in this race.
Lucky Houdalakis
Mr Flood is a nice colt and I am hoping for a decent run in a tough field.
SA FILLIES NURSERY (Grade 2) 1160m
Sean Tarry
Celtic Sea is a very nice filly and there’s not much between her and Mike de Kock’s runner so she must have a big chance. Three Stars lost ground, was not travelling well early on but still managed to win on the inside course. She should be thereabouts.
Mike de Kock
Ghaalla is a nice filly but I think you will see the best of her when she goes over 1400m and 1600m. She’s not a filly I want to run too often as a two-year-old. She could have benefitted from another run but she’s well above average. On paper there is nothing between Ghaalla and Celtic Sea and she has got another run under the belt.
Candice Dawson
Captain’s Princess is a nice filly and won a good race on debut. Hopefully she runs well again. Rock Sensation was very dumb on debut so hopefully she is smarter this time and runs a good race.
St John Gray
Ronnie’s Candy runs against runners who have beaten her before but being a two-year-old race they can improve drastically so let us see what happens.
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