Picture: Anfields Rocket winning the Gr 1 WSB SA Classic (JC Photos)
Turf Talk
Last year’s Gr 1 WSB SA Classic winner over 1800m, the Grant Maroun-trained Anfields Rocket, has had a gallop since his 9,90 length fifth in the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m and runs in the Gr 1 R5 million Betway Summer Cup over 2000m at Turffontein Standside on Saturday.
Maroun said about the Coup de Grace gelding, who was bought from him by the Hollywood Syndicate before the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas last season, ” I’m happy with the draw (10). The horse is pretty fit, he’s very well, he’s very sound and I am very confident he will run a big race. He’s won the Classic on Turffontein Standside and he’s run his best races there.”
Anfields Rocket also won the Gr 3 Allied Steelrode Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m on Turffontein Standside and finished a staying on third in the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m there.
He stayed on resolutely from midfield in the SA Classic after being left alone from draw two.
His rider that day was Raymond Danielson and this talented jockey, who has a fine Gr 1-winning record, will be aboard on Saturday.
Grant said as Anfields Rocket won a Gr 1 over 1800m as a three-year-old he should get 2000m as a four-year-old.
Anfields Rocket is a 20/1 shot currently with the sponsor.
Maroun also runs Lance gelding Sea Shanty on the day, provided he has recovered from his fair fifth place finish on debut on Friday evening. He gives him a “small place chance” in the second race over 1160m.
