Canon Gold Cup

Bass Tri Floutyourboat/Bill of rights/River Jetez

Pacific Warrior from Equal Image and Bill of Rights.

Swinger Equal Image & Bill of Rights & Ohama Beach (BOXED)

What they are saying in the U.K.

Staying races are so few and far between in South Africa that Greyville is billing the Canon Gold Cup as “racing's marathon”.

Mike de Kock, successful with Thundering Star 12 months ago, is on a roll after clinching his fourth trainer's title with a double at the Vaal on Thursday. Punters have really locked onto his Equal Image who was a 10-1 chance in the original ante-post lists.

Kevin Shea's mount has been backed all week and is now a best-priced 11-2. He had seven of these rivals behind when winning the Gold Vase over a furlong less on this course four weeks ago. But he drifted across the course in the closing stages that day, causing a stewards inquiry.

De Kock said: “He often does drift like that and I don't know why because he is a very sound horse.”

Membrado, beaten a length and a half, is 2lb better off and trainer Sean Tarry is expecting another big run.

He said: “Membrado ran on well in the Gold Vase. It's a tough race so we can't be overly confident but he is in good order.”

Omaha Beach, second 12 months ago, also ran well in the Gold Vase and is 3lb better for less than two lengths. Furthermore trainer Joey Ramsden is bullish.

He said: “Omaha Beach has had a fabulous prep, he's got a good draw and even better rider in Piere Strydom. He's won more staying races than the others.”

Desert Links is favourite (4-1 with most layers) but has not won over the trip. Trainer Basil Marcus, twice successful as a jockey, said: “Thisis the test for him at two miles. We have no reason to believe he won't stay ñ he has run well over similar distances - and he loves Greyville.”

Canon Gold Cup
Coral: 9-2 Equal Image, 9-2 Desert Links, 8 Bill Of Rights, 8 River Jetez, 8
Omaha Beach,10 Membrado, 12 Likeithot, 14 Winona, 14 Autumn Frost, 16
Long Dollar, 20 Floatyourboat, 20 Pacific Warrior, 20 Meteor Shower,
25 Pick Six, 25 Magical Ballad, 33 Jagged Ice, 33 Prince Asad, 40 Ser De
Carrera, 50 Master Of Note, 66 Bayete.

Very informative post Garrick. I am however a bit suspicious of the Gold Vase form won by Equal Image on July day, for the following reasons; EI won by 1.5 lengths and the next 12 finishers were crammed into a mere 2.25 lengths(this might happen over 1000m at Champ De Mars but over 3000m suggests a very false pace); Most of the finishers ran faster 400 to finish times than the July runners (according to computaform anyway), Prince Asad who finished 15th out of sixteen ran 400 to finish of 23.1s the same time as River Jetez in the July - again an indication of a slow run race; Long Dollar ran 185.4sec inthe Gold Vase last year compared to Equal Image 186.47s this year.

Any suggestion who will win then nagboy?

i think race is open - if i was forced to have a bet i would go for Omaha Beach.

Fair enough - A good selection. I am a Desert Links fan all the way.

Me too Al - after Garricks once over "Firstly - I brass Desert Links", I thought I'd let the Horse do the talking - hey presto!

Congrats Puffin on chosing the right race after such a great run behind PP / DD.

You would have though the neysayers would have learnt after that fantastic race - lol!

Still, it meant a better price for those that thought him a 9/4 shot!

Ouzo puffin - enjoy mate!

Jim.

Tks Jim for all the kind words, he won a cracker..57kg and all!!!!!Ouzo.