King Pelles Looks Like A Natural-Born Gold Cup Winner

King Pelles looked a natual born stayer on Saturday when galloping resolutely down the straight to win the Gr 3 Durban Gold Vase easily and he possesses a fine turn of foot too. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

King Pelles looks the one to beat among the entries for the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup.

There have been unofficial staying “triple crown” winners recently with both Hermoso Mundo in 2017 and Future Pearl in 2023 winning all of the Gold Bowl over 3200 at Turffontein Standside, Gold Vase over 3000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville and Gold Cup over 3200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville in the same season, all of them Gr 3’s.

However, King Pelles could go one better than them as he will be going for a fourth Gr 3 staying race this season. He won the Glorious Goodwood Chairman’s Cup over 2500m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day, the Tote Derby over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and the Durban Gold Vase over 3000m on Hollywoodbets Durban July day.

The 3000m event was his easiest win and what was so impressive about it was the turn of foot he showed coupled with a resolute finish. He went from midfield into the lead in a matter of strides at the top of the straight and never showed any sign of tiring as he galloped down the straight to a comfortable three length victory, despite carrying joint topweight of 60kg.

He looks capable of overcoming a six point raise and although he will be near the top of the weights, the Gold Cup favours the top weights with the bottom weight being 54kg and the weights being compressed.

Last year’s unlucky Gold Cup runner up, the Frank Robinson-trained Shoot The Rapids, had every chance in the Gold Vase but was beaten 4,85 lengths. However, he will be 2kg better off with King Pelles in the Gold Cup.

Shoot The Rapids’ stablemate Madison Valley was too far back in the Gold Cup last year, but ran on strongly. He was the Gold Vase winner last year and has improved this season and should be a big runner coming off a fine fifth place finish in the Hollywoodbets Durban July for which he did not incur a merit rating raise. The 115-rated four-year-old will carry 1kg less than the 118-rated King Pelles, who carries 59kg as things stand with the topweight being the 121-rated Purple Pitcher.

Holding Thumbs has been runner up to King Pelles in his last two runs and is 1kg better off for the three length beating in the Gold Vase.

Alan Greeff has been in devastating form away from home this season, meaning the East Cape have had unprecedented success in out of province features. He could do it again with Bournemouth, who has won his last three races over 2400m, 2700m and 2800m rspectively in easy fashion.

Former SA Derby winner Son Of Raj won well on the Highveld on Sunday, so looks to be in fine fettle, and he could be a contender despite having to carry 59,5kg off his 119 rating.

Future Swing is capable of better than his last two runs, but he was beaten 8,40 lengths and 6,65 lengths by King Pelles respectively, so that does not augur well as he will just be half-a-kilogram better off for the latter defeat.

Nebraas is a former Gold Cup winner, but was beaten 7,65 lengths by King Pelles in the Gold Vase and is only 1,5kg better off.

Th Equator seemed all at sea in the Gr 3 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200 when finshing last despite being backed to favourite, but he is likely better than that and will appreciate the step up in trip.

Purple Pitcher’s only start over a staying trip was when winning the SA Derby and he kept on finding in that race, so is an interesting runner here.

My Soul Mate is a useful stayer and could be a contender, although the compressed handicap won’t favour her.

Field Marshall was beaten 3,60 lengths by King Pelles in the Tote Derby and will be 1kg better off. He is progressive and could be a runner.

Those are the ones who make most appeal.

The field is shown below: