Tenpenny will make a last gasp attempt to earn a berth in the Hollywoodbets Durban July final field by winning the Gr 3 Lucky Fish Winter Stakes on Saturday (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Tenpenny has a crucial race on Saturday in the Gr 3 Lucky Fish Winter Stakes over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville as he will probably need to win it to earn a berth in the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
If he does get in he will become the second runner trainer Paddy Kruyer has had in the big race in his career.
Ten Penny has been one of the most progressive horses of the season, rising from a 90 merit rating to 105 with four wins from 1600m to 2500m.
His win over the latter trip was in the Listed Masks Of Fire Kenilworth Cup.
He followed that with a 1,40 length third in the Gr 3 Variety Club Mile, beating the like of Viva’s Liberte and Legal Counsel, although he was receiving 6kg from the latter and only beat him by a longhead.
In his last run he was beaten by 12,24 lengths in the Gr 3 Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m.
However, Kruyer said, “The ground was very bad, it was very, very heavy, and he also came back with a little bit of a dirty scope post race.”
He continued, “But we are very happy with where he is at the moment. There is a little bit of pressure as I am trying to get him into the July with a light weight. He has been with Michael Roberts at Summerveld for two weeks and I’ve been here too. He traveled very well and his workouts have been very good. Everything is in order and we are hoping for a nice run. He is a very nice horse, but this is a last chance saloon, he will need to win to get into the July.”
Paddy’s only previous July runner was At The Savoy (Dancing Champ), who finished 6th and 14th in 1994 and 1995 respectively and he was ironically ridden by Michael Roberts in the latter race.
Paddy said Tenpenny will love the faster ground he will get on Saturday compared to last time.
He is owned by Greg and Gina Bortz, who also own the Justin Snaith-trained July entries Native Ruler and Regulation. Native Ruler in fact runs in the Winter Stakes on Saturday and has been priced up as favourite.
Tenpenny is quoted at 5/1 in the nine horse field for Saturday’s race and he is 75/1 with the sponsor for the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
