Back In Business cruises to a comfortable win in the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m (JC Photos)
The final declarations for the Gr 2 Allied Steelrode – Onamission Mile, which is to be run at Turffontein Standside on November 2, was made today and there is a full field of 16 runners plus three reserves.
A horse who could be well ahead of the handicapper is Back In Business, who is only merit rated 114. He actually ran way above that rating when winning the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge, but could not be raised more than 8 points due to a condition of the race. The Joe Soma-trained William Longsword stalwart has drawn wide in 17 (which comes into 15 if there are no scratchings), but Muzi Yeni is an expert at overcoming such draws. Back In Business only has to carry 56kg, meaning he gets 7kg from Dave The King. Yeni replaces Rachel Venniker, who got the ride last time when Yeni went to ride in Kranji racecourse’s last ever meeting. Back In Business, who is a five-year-old with just 12 starts undr the belt, has never won over further than 1450m. However, he was not stopping last time and should handle the extra 150m.
Equus Horse Of The Year Dave The King will carry topweight of 63kg.
The race is a handicap with the benchmark being 52kg for a net 106 merit rating.
Dave The King’s merit rating of 128 is 22 points higher than 106, meaning 52kg + 11kg = 63kg.
Trainer Mike de Kock said it would be a preparation run for Dave The King with the L’Ormarins King’s Plate in mind. Considering he would have to give weight all around and is expected to come on from the run, he is unlikely to be bankered by many despite his top class ability over the trip.
Celtic Rumours won the Gr Betway Jo’Burg Spring Fillies And Mares Challenge beating the talented three-year-old Fiery Pegasus giving the latter 8kg and she could have a say in the finish, albeit from a tricky draw of 10 as it stands.
Gladatorian has the class to be a contender but a wide draw is against him.
Barbaresco should blossom this season and is also a contender despite a tricky draw.
The field is shown below:
1st R625000, 2nd R200000, 3rd R100000, 4th R50000, 5th R25000
ALLIED STEELRODE – ONAMISSION CHARITY MILE (Grade 2)
Open
WFA: 3yrs-7kgs 4yrs-0kgs
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 8 | Dave The King | 63 | 128 | A | Richard Fourie | Mike de Kock | |
| 2 | 6 | Winchester Mansion | 61 | 124 | CA | Marco V’Rensburg | Brett Crawford | |
| 3 | 12 | Barbaresco | 60 | 122 | Ae | Gavin Lerena | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 4 | 15 | Gladatorian | 59 | 120 | T A | Tristan Godden | Stuart Ferrie | |
| 5 | 2 | Frances Ethel | 58 | 118 | PA | Kabelo Matsunyane | Brett Crawford | |
| 6 | 16 | Melech | 57.5 | 117 | T A | Serino Moodley | Roy Magner | |
| 7 | 19 | Gimmeanotherchance | 57 | 116 | BA | Craig Zackey | Mike de Kock | |
| 8 | 13 | Quasiforsure | 57 | 116 | T A | Athandiwe Mgudlwa | Peter Muscutt | |
| 9 | 3 | Silver Sanctuary | 57 | 116 | Ae | Raymond Danielson | Mike de Kock | |
| 10 | 9 | Hotarubi | 56.5 | 115 | TCA | Calvin Habib | Sean Tarry | |
| 11 | 1 | Litigation | 56.5 | 115 | TCA | Denis Schwarz | Sean Tarry | |
| 12 | 4 | Meridius | 56.5 | 115 | A | #Rachel Venniker | Tony Peter | |
| 13 | 17 | Back In Business | 56 | 114 | A | Muzi Yeni | Joe Soma | |
| 14 | 10 | Shoemaker | 54.5 | 111 | A | Diego De Gouveia | Mike de Kock | |
| 15 | 5 | Safe Passage | 53.5 | 109 | S | Malesela Katjedi | Mike de Kock | |
| 16 | 11 | Celtic Rumours | 52.5 | 107 | A | Philasande Mxoli | Sean Tarry | |
| 17 | 18 | Zinovi | 55.5 | 113 | A | Reserve 1 | Mike de Kock | |
| 18 | 14 | Let’s Go Now | 56 | 114 | BA | Reserve 2 | Sean Tarry | |
| 19 | 7 | Formagear | 53 | 108 | A | Reserve 3 | Peter Muscutt | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (1,7,9,14,15,17) (2,5) (8,19) (10,11,16,18) | ||||||||
