The Gr 2 Emerald Cup, run over 1450m at the Vaal on Saturday, turned into a procession as Tommy Gun (SAF) galloped on too powerfully for the opposition, recording a clear-cut cut victory in Africa's premier sand event. Gallant veteran Uncle Tommy (SAF) ran on well for second ahead of Killua Castle (AUS) and Across The Ice (SAF).
As expected, it was Anger who shot across from his wide draw to lead as Tommy Gun and Whiteline Fever disputed second place, just ahead of Storm Surf. Jet Jamboree was next best as Across The Ice and Uncle Tommy raced some way back and Killua Castle sat at the rear.
Anger gave way to Tommy Gun shortly after the 600m mark and something was clearly amiss with Whiteline Fever who was not persevered with from that point on. Favourite Jet Jamboree, meanwhile, was starting to wind up for his effort and when he moved up to Tommy Gun about 400m out, he looked set to go past with some ease. His effort petered out, though, as Tommy Gun found another gear and the race was already over as a contest entering the last furlong. It became a case of who would run second and it was 7-year-old Uncle Tommy who came out of the pack to clinch the runner-up berth. Killua Castle, as is usually the case, was also doing his best work late while 8-year-old Across The Ice got his nose down to edge out Jet Jamboree for fourth.
Tommy Gun came into the race with some decent sand form to his name but was taking a jump up in class and had the shadow of a very disappointing last effort at Kimberley hanging over him. He dispelled any doubts in no uncertain terms and this was a hugely impressive effort, especially as he faced a rather stiff task at the weights. Trainer Corne Spies (pictured) was able to savour a notable big race double on the sand, following his victory with Anger in the August Stakes.
Uncle Tommy is as brave as they come and his connections have every reason to be delighted with this run, especially as he had to lug joint top weight of 60kg.
Killua Castle is not the most straightforward of characters but he does have genuine ability and this was a creditable effort over a trip short of his best.
Across The Ice came out of the race with his honour intact. He is best over 1200m and this was a very useful effort in the circumstances.
4 b g Sail From Seattle (CAN) - Kathakali by Joshua Dancer (USA)
Owners: Messrs F N Englesakis, R P Macnab & T Spies
Bred by Milkwood Stud (Nom:Mrs N D Robertson)
Winning trainer: Corne Spies
Race 7 - R1M - EMERALD CUP (Grade 2)
Open - 1450m |
| No |
Horse |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Al/Bl |
Kg |
Dr |
Fin |
Dist |
Time |
OP |
SP |
| 6 |
TOMMY GUN |
Fanie Chambers |
C Spies |
A |
58.0 |
3 |
1 |
0.00 |
89.94 |
10/1 |
16/1 |
| 2 |
UNCLE TOMMY |
Weichong Marwing |
W H Marwing |
A B |
60.0 |
9 |
2 |
3.00 |
90.51 |
4/1 |
9/1 |
| 12 |
KILLUA CASTLE (AUS) |
Akash Aucharuz |
G V Woodruff |
A |
54.0 |
13 |
3 |
4.25 |
90.75 |
16/1 |
33/1 |
| 7 |
ACROSS THE ICE |
Raymond Danielson |
S G Tarry |
A B |
56.0 |
12 |
4 |
6.00 |
91.09 |
25/1 |
75/1 |
| 1 |
JET JAMBOREE |
Gavin Lerena |
D Zaki |
A |
60.0 |
1 |
5 |
6.05 |
91.10 |
2/1 |
15/10F |
| 13 |
TAPTAP MAKHATINI |
Julius Mariba |
S G Tarry |
A |
52.0 |
6 |
6 |
6.25 |
91.14 |
20/1 |
20/1 |
| 14 |
BROOKS-CLUB |
Juan Paul V'D Merwe |
M G Azzie |
A B |
50.0 |
8 |
7 |
8.00 |
91.48 |
8/1 |
12/1 |
| 10 |
STORM SURF |
Karl Zechner |
K Naidoo |
A |
54.0 |
4 |
8 |
8.50 |
91.58 |
20/1 |
22/1 |
| 9 |
ISOBAR |
S'Manga Khumalo |
W H Marwing |
A |
54.0 |
11 |
9 |
9.50 |
91.77 |
14/1 |
25/1 |
| 8 |
SHADOW LINE |
Gunter Wrogemann |
S W Kenny |
A |
56.0 |
5 |
10 |
10.50 |
91.97 |
10/1 |
13/2 |
| 3 |
RIO CARNIVAL (AUS) |
Anton Marcus |
C Laird |
A B |
58.0 |
7 |
11 |
12.00 |
92.27 |
10/1 |
14/1 |
| 5 |
IN A RUSH |
Francois Herholdt |
G D Smith |
A |
58.0 |
10 |
12 |
23.00 |
94.51 |
25/1 |
55/1 |
| 11 |
ANGER (BRZ) |
Francois Naude |
C Spies |
A |
54.0 |
14 |
13 |
27.00 |
95.35 |
14/1 |
16/1 |
| 4 |
WHITELINE FEVER |
Piere Strydom |
S G Tarry |
A |
58.0 |
2 |
14 |
Dist |
113.87 |
10/1 |
8/1 |
| 15 |
KINGOFMOUNTAIN |
Scratched |
| 16 |
ALL THE BIDS |
Scratched |
|
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