Madison Valley fends off stablemate Shoot The Rapids to win the Gr 3 DSTV Gold Vase (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Madison Valley and Cape Eagle are two Betway Summer Cup entries who run in the Non-Black Type Michaelmas Handicap over 1900m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday and this is in fact the race which produced the Summer Cup winner last year, Royal Victory.
Summerveld trainer Frank Robinson said about the Gr 3 DSTV Gold Vase winner Madison Valley, who ran a good 3,55 length fifth to Gladatorian in his comeback over a too sharp 1500m trip last month, “He’s very well. And I must just say my other Michaelmas entry Mexican Pete is also doing very well, he’s come back a different horse. I gave him a break and gelded him and he ran a cracker on his comeback, finishing second over 1200m, but I am just a bit concerned I am not doing the right thing jumping into a 1900m so quickly, so there is a chance I will take him out, especially as he can pull too hard.”
He changed the subject back to Madison Valley and said, “He’s a decent horse and will get better. He’s a big, beautiful-striding horse and will love Turffontein Standside and of course he will see the distance out well too. “
He continued, “They often get rain on the week of the Summer Cup meeting and the track is often heavy. It makes the race tougher and that will suit us.”
Frank said Madison Valley was a clear-winded horse, so might just have the one run before going for the Sumner Cup. He is merit rated 108 and there are 26 horses merit rated higher than him among the 42 Summer Cup entries.
He might thus be considered a borderline case for making the final field of 20.
Frank said, “He is a lot better than people think. He’s a very nice horse.’”
He is confident the Clifton Stud-bred Mambo In Seattle gelding will get into the field and said, “He won the Gold Vase and should have won the Gold Cup, he came from a mile back (and finished a 2,30 length fifth).”
Frank’s Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes winner Cats Pajamas (Rafeef) is doing very well too and after coming out of his scintillating 3,30 length win of a Graduation Plate at Hollywoodbets Scottsville well he is being aimed at the Gr 3 Merchants over 1160m on Betway Summer Cup day.
