Greaterix kept Fire Attack at bay last time in the Gr 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m, but was receiving 2kg. (JC Photos).
Fire Attack and Greaterix are buidling up a rivalry and will have their third clash in the Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas at Turffontein Standside on Saturday.
Fire Attack has Greaterix beaten on paper, but the bookmakers go 9/10 Greaterix and 4/1 Fire Attack.
The Alec Laird-trained Fire Attack won the Gr 2 SA Nursery as a two-year-old and this Fire Away colt beat the Mike de Kock-trained Vercingetorix colt Greaterix by 2,50 length when they were second and third respectively in the Gr 2 Betway Dingaans, which is run over the same course and distance as the Gauteng Guineas.
In the the Gr 3 Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m last time out, Greaterix beat Fire Attack by 0,70 lengths. However, Fire Attack was giving the latter 2kg , so was once again the better performer.
He was also closing fast on Greaterix having been dropped out.
The reason Greaterix is a shorter price is due to reputation plus the visual impression he creates and he also had excuses for his last two runs.
In the Dingaans he was caught in front and just went too fast and finished a bit distressed. His bloods were not right upon getting home.
De Kock consequently eased off him completely and said he therefore needed his run in the Got The Greenlight Stakes.
Greaterix showed a terrific turn of foot when Muzi Yeni let him go early in the straight in the Got The Greenlight, which he did because not much had gone well for him in the race until then. Muzi had been teaching him to settle in training and he had intended to put him to sleep in the race, but he firstly had horses on his heels early and the pace later stacked up.
De Kock is actually not sure of Greaterix’s classic race suitability, because he possesses so much speed. He said he can’t work him with other horses, because he just leaves them behind.
Greaterix is drawn nine on Saturday and is going to have to get cover, which will be made easier by Yeni being aboard as he is a master at slotting in from wide draws.
He should be in better shape this time and it will be the acid test to see whether he does truly stay the tough course and distance.
Fire Attack does stay and is drawn in pole, so the betting odds are a bit skewed at this stage.
He travels nicely in his races and winds up into a strong finish.
Legend Of Arthur has a big reputation too and this progressive Sean Tarry-trained Lancaster Bomber Bomber colt is joint highest rated runner on 111 together with Fire Attack. He is drawn well in four and Piere Strydom up is a bonus.
Bacchus has shown a lot of promise and this Fabian Habib-trained Master Of My Fate gelding is interesting from draw six.
Parisian Walkway was fourth in the Dingaans and will make his presence felt.
Chestnut Bomber could stay on into the places.
Musical Score and Choisaanada are better than their last respective runs.
Aristotle is an interesting acquistion from the Cape for the Laird yard as he had decent form in that strong centre.
The field is shown below:
1st R625000, 2nd R200000, 3rd R100000, 4th R50000, 5th R25000
TAB GAUTENG GUINEAS (Grade 2)
For 3 year-olds (1st Leg SA Triple Crown)No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
1 | 1 | Fire Attack | 60 | 111 | A | Gavin Lerena | Alec Laird | |
2 | 4 | Legend Of Arthur | 60 | 111 | A | Piere Strydom | Sean Tarry | |
3 | 9 | Greaterix | 60 | 109 | A | Muzi Yeni | Mike / Mathew de Kock | |
4 | 13 | Chestnut Bomber | 60 | 106 | A | Chase Maujean | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
5 | 11 | Dantonfromsandton | 60 | 106 | TBA | Ryan Munger | Sean Tarry | |
6 | 5 | Waheed | 60 | 105 | A | #Rachel Venniker | Mike / Mathew de Kock | |
7 | 10 | Wild At War | 60 | 102 | A | Philasande Mxoli | Candice Dawson | |
8 | 6 | Bacchus | 60 | 101 | HA | Denis Schwarz | Fabian Habib | |
9 | 2 | Parisian Walkway | 60 | 101 | A | Diego De Gouveia | Alec Laird | |
10 | 7 | Musical Score | 60 | 100 | A | Craig Zackey | Lucky Houdalakis | |
11 | 8 | Choisaanada | 60 | 98 | A | Raymond Danielson | Erico Verdonese | |
12 | 12 | Aristotle | 60 | 94 | A | Kabelo Matsunyane | Alec Laird | |
13 | 3 | Diwali Rocket | 60 | 91 | BA | Kaidan Brewer | Mano Pandaram | |
Same Trainer | ||||||||
(1,9,12) (2,5) (3,6) |