eLAN PROPERTY GROUP GOLD CUP (Grade 1) - HOT TICKET could be hot number

 HOT TICKET ran into problems in the Vodacom Durban July four weeks ago and ultimately ran twelfth in that race but still only just over six lengths back. That was a good run to his stable companion, POWER KING, who won that race for the Dean Kannemeyer yard. His last win came in July 2014 when he won the Gold Vase over 3000m. He followed that up with a good fourth in this race a year ago when finishing less than three lengths behind WAVIN' FLAG. Two runs back he was pipped on the line in the Derby over 2400m at Scottsville. The Dean Kannemeyer yard is in exceptionally hot form this winter and the Cape Town conditioner, could take the spoils back to the Mother City come Monday morning. This six year old son of SILVANO is sure to have a good run and is taken to win a competitive event. Karl Neisius, who has ridden him to victory on four previous occasions, has the ride.

Another Cape Town trained horse, COLTRANE, has yet to realise his far superior Cape Town form in KZN. Whether now will be the time remains to be seen. Piere Strydom rode him last time in the Lonsdale at Greyville. He has ridden him for victory when in Cape Town. He has won over the distance and has proved himself to be a classy stayer who already has two feature races under his belt, namely the Cape Summer Stayers over 2500m and the Chairmans Cup over 3200m, both at Kenilworth. The Joey Ramsden inmate must have a definite chance.

Don't ignore the chances of the Sean Tarry trained GOLD ONYX. He has not won a race in twenty two months but has contested some good races since that win. He has been running far better than his current form may suggest. He did finish close up to FUTURA in both the Grade 1 Queen's Plate and J & B Met. On those two runs alone he must have a decent shout. His latest effort was in the Vodacom Durban July last time. That is a difficult race to assess for GOLD ONYX as he finished eight lengths behind POWER KING after having been badly hampered in the race. He finished third in this race, only half a length behind WAVIN' FLAG.

KINGSTON MINES won two feature races in Cape Town at the beginning of the year, namely the J & B Stayers over 2800m and the Caradoc Gold Cup. His staying ability has never been in question. He showed a great return to form last time when wearing blinkers for the first time. He finished a close up third to DISCO AL in the Gold Circle Derby at Scottsville over 2400m. He will be in with a definite shout and the Mike De Kock yard will be wishing for a good end to a disappointing KZN Winter Season.

Another Joey Ramsden trained horse with a winning chance is DISCO AL. He had been lurking in the background for pretty much a long time before he won well last time, but over a shorter distance. That was a great run and could repeat again this afternoon. Another challenger could be WILD ONE who finished only half a length back in second in this race last year.

1st - HOT TICKET (2); 2nd - COLTRANE (4); 3rd -GOLD ONYX (1); 4th - KINGSTON MINES (8); 5th - DISCO AL (6)