Malmesbury Missile has a fine record over the course and distance of the Big Cap and has been tipped to win it (Picture: Race Coast)
By Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)
There is big money at stake at Hollywoodbets Greyville tomorrow with the running of the R5 million Race Coast Sales Big Cap supported by the R3 million Race Coast Slipper that carries an added bonus of R100k for the winner.
In the Big Cap, Justin Snaith, who has had a sensational couple of weeks culminating in two Gr 1 wins at Turffontein last Saturday, looks to have a stand-out runner in MALMESBURY MISSILE.
The son of Gimmethegreenlight showed huge potential early in his career before losing his way towards the end of last season. He debuted as a gelding in the Bayerly Turk Gr 3 against his own age group last month and finished like a ‘missile’ for an impressive win. A repeat performance can see him home again.
Dom Zaki will have high hopes for TALK TO THE MASTER and he looks the leading threat to MALMESBURY MISSILE. He has won his last two, lastly beating RANDOLPH HEARST and is now 5.5kg better off in the weights which should tell a story. Dark horse could be Sean Tarry’s runner TIN TIN. He is way out at the weights, but is unbeaten since shedding his maiden. He was close-up to smart three-year-olds GRAND EMPIRE and SPLITTHEEIGHTS prior to that win and with only 50kg to shoulder he could be good value. Vaughan Marshall has an exceptional track record in KZN and sends out his first runners of KZN Champions Season. He saddles VAPOUR TRAIL who ran no sort of race in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas Gr 1, but both of his wins have come over this distance. He has a tricky draw but the services of Richard Fourie.
The RCS Slipper has attracted a competitive field where luck in running could play a big part. However, Sean Tarry holds a strong hand with four runners, best of which could be TURN IT UP, who has won two of his three starts both wins with Keagan de Melo aboard who could possibly have had the mount in the smart RED SPICE who has won his last two and gets the services of red-hot Craig Zackey. The filly CHAMPAGNE CASTLE blotted her copybook with a below par performance last run behind RED SPICE after beating her rival at their previous two encounters. The Snaith stable is in hot form which is a big plus in her favour.
WORLD SERIES may be held by RED SPICE on their last meeting but does look capable of further improvement. Tarry’s strong hand include the smart filly SECRETARY BIRD holds a strong hand with the smart filly who a feature race winner last time out although she faces a lot stronger this time around.
Possibly the best bet on the card comes in the fifth where Marshall saddles the smart QUESTIONING. He has the widest draw to contend with but this is only a nine-horse field. He has top class form at the highest level and although he has a big weight a repeat of his last effort should see him home. VIHAAN’S WEB could be a threat from the best of the draw and has shown much improved form in blinkers and beat a good one last time out. JERUSALEMA RAIN was a beaten favourite last run when back in blinkers and has a light weight and could make amends. GOOD TRAVELLER has won his last three on the poly and seldom runs a poor race but may now prefer the synthetic surface.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 is an open contest. AMELIA’S LEGACY got wacked up the handicap for her second in the FLAMBOYANT STAKES behind the smart LADYOFDESTINCTION, but she may still be under the handicappers radar. TULIP FIELDS makes her local debut. She had a promising warm-up run at Durbanville last time out and the stable is in good form of late. THAT’S MY BABY has the widest draw, but has been knocking at the door on the Highveld. She has top weight but should run a forward race. MISS LADYATERIX may be a threat as she may have found her last run a touch too far. She is back over what looks to be her best trip from a handy gate.
The final two races are competitive handicaps. In the eighth, BEYOND ALL DOUBT has a tricky draw to negotiate and was only a maiden winner last time out. However, he is progressive and has improved with each outing and won well over course and distance to shed his maiden and does not meet a strong field. Visiting Fostinovo will be a big runner as he is a solid veteran with excellent form of late. He is both course and distance suited and will be a big runner. COWBOY COUNTRY has been showing signs of improvement and the step up in trip could bring out the best.
In the last, PHUTULICIOUS is holding form and goes well this course and distance. From the best of the draw he should have a bright chance. SIGN OF FATE has been up against stronger of late and is down in class. With a useful 4kg claimer aboard he will be competitive from his inside gate. LUNCH MONEY has been improving with each run since his change of stable and looks primed for this race. DEFINITELY YES is holding form well and with Chad Little back on board the gelding has a winning chance in a wide open contest.
