STARS COLLIDE IN SUMMER CUP THRILLER

Saturday’s World Sports Betting Presents The Gauteng Summer Cup (2000m) promises to be one of races of the season.

Last season’s Triple Crown and Triple Tiara winners Malmoos and War Of Athena take on five time G1 winner Got The Greenlight, as well as the likes of such progressive sorts as Puerto Manzano and Sparkling Water.

Champion filly War Of Athena made a sparkling, winning return to the track when romping home over 1400m, and the charismatic daughter of Act Of War has been priced up favourite for Saturday’s big race. The four-year-old does have to concede weight to all but Got The Greenlight and Malmoos, however, which looks a tough task.

Last season’s Triple Crown winner Malmoos, one of three in the race from the Mike de Kock yard, looks sure to have come on from last his run when making his seasonal debut in the G2 Allied Steelrode-Onamissionmile. The Captain Al colt now meets his Onamissionmile conqueror Bingwa on 3.5kgs better terms for a 5.65 length defeat, and, with match fitness on his side, is expected to put up an improved effort here over a trip he is perhaps better suited to.

Malmoos’ blue blooded stable mate Sparkling Water stamped her Summer Cup ticket when she won the G3 Victory Moon Stakes last time out. The four-year-old daughter of Silvano (who is looking to further add to her sire’s great record in the Summer Cup) does face a much tougher task on Saturday and does look held by War Of Athena (despite a weight turn around) on her last season form.

Stablemate Al Muthana reeled off two wins in a row, before finishing fourth in the Onamissionmile. As a son of Deep Field, however, there must be doubts as to whether he will see out the 2000m trip.

Five time G1 winner Got The Greenlight, who has to concede weight all round in the Summer Cup, was beaten nearly six lengths in the Onamissionmile last time out and does not have the greatest draw (10) in Saturday’s R2 000 000 race. The multiple Equus Champion is too good, however, to overlook and always merits respect.

Onamissionmile winner Bingwa, who has a shocking draw of 18 to overcome, is yet to convince he sees out 2000m, while, in contrast, talented stayer African Adventure, making his first start since July, looks better over more ground than the 2000m of Saturday’s big race.

The lightly raced Puerto Manzano has long looked capable of winning a good race, and he was not disgraced when a close seventh in the G2 Onamissionmile. The son of Seek Again does, however, have a bad draw to overcome on Saturday and faces his toughest task thus far. Stablemate Second Base, another cursed with a poor draw, was well beaten in the Victory Moon Stakes last time out but faces Victory Moon winner Sparkling Water on no less than 9kgs better terms on Saturday.

Sean Tarry saddles five in the race -Shango, Seehaam, Tree Tumbo, Tierra Del Fuego and Flying Carpet. Dual graded stakes winner Shango may well have needed his last two starts and he will enjoy the step up in trip on Saturday, while Seehaam ran fifth in the Onamissionmile last time out but is now worse off at the weights with the likes of Astrix, Puerto Manzano, and Malmoos. Flying Carpet caught the eye when flying up late in the G3 Victory Moon Stakes but faces a much tougher task here.

Victory Moon runner up Golden Pheasant (who defeated fellow Summer Cup starters Astrix, Flying Carpet, Second Base, and Tree Tumbo last time out) has been ultra consistent this season but has a poor draw, as does Majestic Mozart -with that Dynasty gelding making a big impression when making a winning debut for his new trainer Ashley Fortune.

Astrix has done nothing wrong lately, having finished a close third in the Victory Moon Stakes last time out, with the Vercingetorix gelding also catching the eye when runner up in the G2 Onamissionmile. He is another, however, whose form suggests he may be at his best over a shorter trip.

The likes of Green Haze, Johnny Hero, Tree Tumbo and Tierra Del Fuego all look held on current form.

Images: JC Photos