The Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Winchester Mansion is in fine shape ahead of the Gr 1 World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge (Picture: Liesl King)
Racing Today’s Johnny Geroudis spoke to James Crawford about Brett Crawford Racing’s runners on Champions Day and the yard are bullish of having a good day.
They run their Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Winchester Mansion in the Gr 1 World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge and James said, “He’s doing very well at home. His prep into the Summer Cup wasn’t ideal, there was always a little niggle here, a litle niggle there, so it never reallly played into our favour, but in saying that I don’t think he disgraced himself … he only ran 4,20 lengths behind Royal Victory (and is now 4kg better off). He’s had the necessary time off, we’ve treated him accordingly. His work and well-being going into this race is probably the best I’ve had hin since the July, so very, very happy with him. I wish we had a better draw, but I’m very happy with him and I’m quite bullish he will run a good race.”
In the Gr 2 TAB Hawaii Stakes over 1400m the yard run the 124 merit rated Querari gelding At My Command and James said, “He’s very well. In his last run he looks like he got a bit stuck with that heavy going, but you can’t discredit him on that run by any means (8,50 lengths behind Main Defender in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m). We’re bringing him back to a trip that I think is more suited to him. We don’t have the best of draws and it looks to be quite a competitive field, but looking at the field it looks like there is going to be a genuine pace and I think that’s going to play into his hands. If we can just get him nice and settled and in a good rhythm and let him run on from there. If you look at merit ratings in the race he must be a respected horse as he has the highest handicap mark and carries only 58kg. He is very well at home, I am very happy with him. I wish he had a bit of a better draw, but with how I see the race being run I don’t think it is going to be too much of a factor.”
In the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks, they run the progressive Rafeef filly Frances Ethel and James said, “She hasn’t put a foot wrong and looks to be a very progressive filly. She’s on the up and everytime I have stepped her up to a bigger challenge she’s comje and proven it to us, so very happy with her. Obviously this is a really big step up carrying level weights with some of the top, proven fillies who have run in features and Gr 1s. It is a big challenge for her, but I don’t think she’s going to have any problems seeing the trip out and on her work and well-being coupled with how progressive she is you must respect her on the day.”
In the Listed 4Racing Caradoc Gold Cup over 2850m they run six-year-old Dynasty gelding Crimson King and he said, “He won a very nice race last time out (over 2400m). We put him back to a trip that is more suitable. He’s stepping up in trip now, but I don’t think it’s going to be a problem by any means. He should have come on a ton from that last race. Striker always gets the best out of horses without using the crop. He is going t0o come on from that type of ride. very happy witih him, very happy with his well-being and a lot of the field look like they are out at the weights, which I think plays massively into our favour. There are one or two horses I am concerned about, but barring that on his work and his well-being I think he is also going to be a big runner on the day.”
Craig Zackey rides the Khaya Stables-owned At My Command and Kabelo Matsunyane rides the other three.
