The Stuart Ferrie-trained Vercingetorix gelding Gladatorian can become the first KZN-based horse to win the Met since the Neil Bruss-trained Zebra Crossing did it 20 years ago in 2006 (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Gladatorian doesn’t often get good draws but when he does he usually takes advantage with examples being winning the Gr 1 wfa HKJC Champions Cup over 1800m from draw two of seven and the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m from draw five of 12.
He can become the first KZN horse to win the Met since the Neil Bruss-trained Zebra Crossing did it 20 years ago in 2006.
Gladatorian was too far back in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate as the field was stretched out and he had been dropped out from a wide draw.
However, he finished strongly and will relish the 2000m trip of Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
His sire Vercingetorix won Gr 1s over 2000m and 1800m and his dame was not only by July winner Dynasty, but she won a Listed race over 2000m.
Gladatorian has only once gone further than 1800m and that was in the Hollywoodbets Durban July over 2200m.
He was beaten five lengths in that race, but on closer inspection he performed virtually on a par with the winner The Real Prince, because he was carrying 3,5kg more than him.
He then beat The Real Prince and See It Again in the Champions Cup and neither of the latter pair could have had any excuses.
He now has draw four of eleven and, after turning for home likely a lot closer than he was in the King’s Plate, he can mow them down late.
Eight On Eighteen would be an easy winner on the form of 2000m and beyond in this race and he has a plum draw of two.
He has been written off by many due to his interrupted preparation, particularly as there has been the revelation that he suffered a bout of biliary.
The overall effect biliary has on a thoroughbred can be unknown and might only show up on the race course.
So the Met should show whether the bout has had a long term effect on Eight On Eighteen or not.
However, Justin Snath remains bullish and reckoned he had come on “four lengths” from the King’s Plate.
He is the form choice over this trip, so can’t be left out.
See It Again has had a fine preparation and if he can produce his best he will be right there.
Gladatorian did beat See It Again in the Champions Cup though, despite having run in the July.
See It Again had to miss the July and in the Champions Cup horses who come in fresh are often perceived to have an advantage.
The final negative for See It Again is he has a tricky draw of ten out of eleven.
However, See It Again seems to have gelled with Andrew Fortune and has never had a better preparation for the WSB Met.
He is a deserved favourite and should go close after an expected strong finish.
Sail The Seas went a touch too fast between the 600m and 400m in the King’s Plate and if ridden more conservatively should go close.
The Real Prince proved with his July win he has the stamina to stay a trip, although the July did pan out perfectly for him. He was given a perfect ride in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate too and the sectional timing shows him to have run a highly efficient race. He will be out to be the eighth horse in history to have won both the July and the Met and the first since Futura in 2015 to do the King’s Plate/Met double. He is undoubtedly a top horse. He can be mentioned alongside a few greats if he wins here and with Craig Zackey proving himself world class this season there is no reason why the race won’t pan out well for him again. It is tough to select him only in fifth place, but there is little between the top few.
Garrix is highly regarded and is likely better than his King’s Plate run. He ran a cracker in the Ridgemont Green Point Stakes and can bounce back here from draw five. He has won over 1800m and gone close over 1950m and as a mature horse the 2000m might now be within his range.
Legal Counsel went way too fast in the King’s Plate so did well to stay on as well as he did and he has won over 1800m before, so he could possibly earn if ridden more conservatively this time.
Cosmic Speed has a stamina doubt but if Gavin Lerena rides him cold from pole position he could surprise. His stamina concern arises from what has been seen from his races to date and he has never been tried beyond 1600m, but on the plus side he is a full brother to Cosmic Event, who has won twice over 2000m.
Native Ruler has caught the eye before as one who could pop up in to the places in a race like this if it pans out well, although he does have a tricky draw of eight.
Okavango, like Native Ruler, is held on Hollywoodbets Durban July form. However, he did win the Gr 2 Anthonij Rupert Premier Trophy in fine style and that might herald a new dawn. However. he has to overcome draw eleven of eleven.
The Equator will likely have to go out and set a relentless gallop if he is to have any chance as he does appear to be a bit on the one-paced side. He might ideally prefer a tougher test than this to be seen at his most effective.
They are selected in the order mentioned.
