Future Swing will be out to land Justin Snaith an elusive first Gold Cup win (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
The Hollywoodbets Durban July result would have been a bitter pill to swallow for the Justin Snaith yard as their three-year-old superstar Eight On Eighteen was comfortably the best performed horse in the race, but he was pipped late by the one year older The Real Prince, to whom he had to give half-a-kilogram.
Eight On Eighteen will not be there on Sunday to exact revenge, but Snaith will be out to land one of the only big races in either Durban or Cape Town to elude him, the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup, and he has a good Gr 1 chance on the day too among other chances.
The Gold Cup used to be just about the second most sought after prize in the country after the July, so it is race Justin Snaith will surely want to have on his CV.
The yard have not been far off winning it this decade with a 0,25 length second in 2021 with Silver Host and a 0,90 length fourth with Future Swing last year.
Five-year-old Futura gelding Future Swing has another tilt at the trophy this year.
He has drawn quite well in seven out of 13, but looks held on form by the like of favourite King Pelles.
However, the yard would love to give Drakenstein Stud another stakes winner for the season, because the latter are equal with their own South African record of 21 stakes winners for a season at present and need just one more stakes winner to set a new mark.
Jonathan Snaith said about the Drakenstein Stud homebred Future Swing, “He was luckless last year and returns to familiar territory. This is a trip he relishes, and while his Durban season has not unfolded as hoped, there’s a sense he has been holding something back—saving his best for this grand finale.”
The yard run the classy Drakenstein Stud-bred Gimmethegreenlight colt Malmesbury Missile in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m and Jonathan said, “Malmesbury Missile has been aimed like an arrow at this Grade 1 mile from the very start of his KZN campaign, and all signs suggest he is ready to deliver another sparkling performance. Justin is convinced that a mile is the sweet spot for this son of Gimmethegreenlight, and the stable brims with quiet confidence.”
They run the Ridgemont-bred Danon Platina filly Knockout in the Gr 2 Bet With The World Gold Bracelet over 2000m and Jonathan said, “Knockout comes off a decent run against similar company. A finish among the top three would not only delight her connections but also secure that coveted black-type before she heads to Jet Dark’s stallion barn.”
They run the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000 winner Little Suzie in the Gold Bracelet too and Jonathan said about this Drakenstein homebred Trippi filly, “Little Suzie is a filly on the rise, sharpening with every start. Over this distance she is expected to thrive; expect her to run with a purpose – she’s ready!”
In the last race over 1000m, the Listed HKIR In December Umngeni Handicap, Un Bel Di will be another horse who can give Drakenstein the record, as one who is yet to win a stakes race this season.
Jonathan said about the Querari gelding, “Un Bel Di steps boldly into deeper waters, taking on this class with a light weight. He will need to summon every ounce of his ability to feature in the finish, but at home he is thriving—and he has upset potential.”
