The Weiho Marwing-trained Gr 1 WSB SA Derby winner Son Of Raj looks to be well handicapped for the Betway Summer Cup (JC Photos)
The Weiho Marwing-trained WSB SA Derby winner Son Of Raj ran to about a 120 in the Gr 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m on Saturday but was not allowed to be adjusted “due to him running unplaced in 5th place.” This means he could be going in to the Betway Summer Cup with a 2,5kg advantage. He remains on a 115 meaning he will be carrying 54.5kg in the big race as things stand and had he been adjusted upward he might well have had to carry 57kg. Son Of Raj is currently an 18/1 chance with the sponsor.
Atticus Finch was raised to an 111 for his Victory Moon win. That means he will be officially going into the race 1,5kg under sufferance as things stand. Yet he is the third favourite at 6/1. However, he is a horse who gives the impression he has more to come and he looks to have a superb racing temperament.
Puerto Manzano is the 5/1 favourite.
Hollywoodbets Durban July hero Winchester Mansion is 11/2 second favourite.
However, on a formline through Electric Gold, Winchester Mansion’s new Brett Crawford-trained stablemate Billy Bowlegs offers better value.
Electric Gold was beaten 1,75 lengths by Puerto Manzano in the Gr 3 Jubilee Stakes over 1800m last June and he was 8kg better off than weight for age in that race.
On Saturday in the Gr 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m Billy Bowlegs gave Electric Gold 6kg and was beaten only 0,25 lengths. Billy Bowlegs, as things stand, will face Puerto Manzano on 4kg better than weight for age in the Summer Cup, which on a strict line through Electric Gold, after doing the maths, means he will dead-heat with Puerto Manzano. Yet he is out at 18/1 for the Summer Cup. He will be having his third run for Brett Crawford and is sure to line up in top condition.
Royal Victory was just 1,25 lengths behind Billy Bowlegs in last season’s Gr 1 WSB SA Classic and he, as things stand, will receive 1,5kg from the latter in the Summer Cup. So although he will officially be 1,5kg under sufferance carrying the bottom weight of 54kg, he comes out slightly ahead of Billy Bowlegs. He is out at a whopping 80/1 with the sponsor.
