Gladatorian cruises to victory over 1500m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time out. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
The Stuart Ferrie-trained Vercingetorix gelding Gladatorian might have a fitness advantage over some of his rivals in the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m at Turffontein Inside on Saturday and he has also cracked a fair draw of six out of 14.
Ferrie said, “He won well last time and came out of it fine and the one thing is he is going in as a fit horse and some of the others are having their first runs. As long as there is a pace on he will be alright.”
Gladatorian will be 4kg under sufferance with the best weighted Main Defender.
However, he does have one factor in his favour.
He has been kept to sprints for most of his career, despite having a pedigree which suggests he will stay much further, and his three most recent starts beyond sprint distances have suggested he could have a whole new career ahead of him as a sprint-miler.
He could well have more to come over trips of 1400m and beyond.
He won cosily over 1400m in January at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, despite carrying 62kg and giving lumps of weight away; he was beaten just 3,90 lengths in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge by Equus Horse Of The Year Dave The King despite the race not panning out well; he won by an easy 2,20 lengths over 1500m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time out despite carrying 62kg again.
Gladatorian actually beat Main Defender by 1,50 lengths in the Gold Challenge and will face him on Saturday on better terms, considering the Gold Challenge was a weight for age event and the Spring Challenge is a conditions event in which he gets 1,5kg from Main Defender. However, it has to be said Main Defender was not at his best in the Gold Challenge and is reportedly spot on for Saturday’s race.
Gladatorian is the only out of province horse in the field and jumps from a good draw of six out of 14 under in form Sean Veale.
