Back In Business wins the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m (JC Photos)
Back In Business would likely be the favourite for the Gr 2 Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile if he were better drawn and a certainty to stay the trip, because he is slung in at the weights.
When slamming the field by 1,50 lengths in the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m he beat the 120 merit-rated Barbaresco by 1,50 lengths receiving only 1kg, the 120-rated Gladatorian by 2,70 lengths receiving 1,5kg, the 118-rated Melech by 4,30 lengths receiving 1,5kg, the 125-rated William Robertson by 4,50 lengths receiving 1,5kg, the 131-rated Main Defender by 4,70 lengths receiving 3kg and there was then a yawning gap back to the 123-rated Purple Pitcher. The only amomaly was the 100-rated Wild At War finishing a tie 1,50 length second, but this three-year-old, to whom he gave 6,5kg, is still unexposed.
In any case the line horse was deemed to be his fellow five-year-old Gladatorian, meaning he ran to a 122 merit rating.
However, a condition of the race saw him only being able to be raised a maximum of eight points.
He was thus raised to 114.
That means he is 4kg well in on Saturday in the handicap event.
On the downside he has a draw of 14 out of 16.
He is also yet to prove he stays the 1600m trip.
In his only attempt at it in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over this course and distance he was beaten 23,50 lengths by the winner Main Defender and was beaten 20,50 length by Dave The King. So even receiving 7kg from Dave The King on Saturday leaves him well short on that form.
However, that was palpably not his run.
On pedigree, being by Cape Guineas winner William Longsword out of Var three time-winning sprinter Enchanting Cathy, there is a slight stamina doubt too.
Enchanting Cathy is in fact a half-sister to the three-time Gr 1-winning sprinter legend National Currency.
Back In Business’ full brother Kupholiwe’s four wins have been from 1000m to 1200m.
Not one of his other four siblings who have run have won beyond 1200m.
However, Back In Buisness was not stopping at the line in the Spring Challenge, although Barbaresco was gaining on him.
His wide draw does not help, but having Muzi Yeni aboard will help him overcome the draw.
Yeni is an expert at overcoming wide draws and invariably finds cover.
Will he stay the tough 1600m Turffontein Standside trip is the main question mark.
His odds with Hollywoodbets of 6,25/1 are probably about right.
The best horses to side with might be the ones who are viewing this race as a target and not as a stepping stone to the Betway Summer Cup.
The latter type would want to leave something in reserve for the Summer Cup and there is also the concern of them being given a raise to their merit ratings if they win.
Back In Business, Dave The King, Gladatorian, Gimmeanotherchance, Quasiforsure, Celtic Rumours and Zinovi are the ones who will likely not be going for the Summer Cup.
Dave The King is still in the Summer Cup entry list and betting, but Mike de Kock has said his likely next race would be a Pinnacle event in December followed by his target race, the L’Ormarins King’s Plate.
Frances Ethel off a merit rating of 118 will be carrying bottom weight of 54kg in the Summer Cup as things stand and is 1kg under sufferance. She can only afford to be raised to 120, going on the topweight See It Again’s merit rating of 131.
The Charity Mile is always one of the most difficult races of the season for punters and this season is no different, but those who can successfully identify a prime candidate usually get good value.
