Abashiri has drifted in the betting for the R2-million Gauteng Sansui Summer Cup (Grade 1) over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday 25 November and Hermoso Mundo is the new ante-post favourite at 8-1.

Hermoso Mundo is trained by Weiho Marwing, a man who plays his cards close to his chest, but who seems to believe his high-class stayer will be ready to run the race of his life in the Summer Cup. He won the Gold Bowl, the Gold Vase and the Gold Cup last season, all over marathon distances, and will be stepping into Grade 1 company for the first time in his career.

He is only 11th on the log for the Summer Cup. The latest log, which lists the horses the handicappers believe should run in Johannesburg’s premier race, was released last Friday.

Betting World has Nother Russia posted as second favourite at 17-2, even though the Mike de Kock stable is leaning strongly towards running the brilliant mare in the Ipi Tombe Stakes over 1600m on the same day instead.

Nother Russia was most impressive in her preparatory run for Summer Cup Day at Turffontein on Thursday last week. She ran in a 1400m Pinnacle Stakes and jockey Craig Zackey only had to show her the crop when she started drifting out. She won under a hands-and-heels ride with quite a bit in the tank.

That was her first outing since her third to Deo Juvente and Legal Eagle in the Premier’s Champions Challenge over the Summer Cup course and distance in May.

Abashiri is the third choice, having drifted from 7s to 9-1. The Mike and Adam Azzie-trained horse was making only his third appearance this year and having a “come-on” race when sixth behind Girl On The Run (20-1 for the Summer Cup and 14th on the latest log) in the Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein on Thursday last week.

Girl On The Run won a good race that night. She is 14th on the log and shortened from 25-1 to 20-1 in the betting.

Deo Juvente is still the handicappers’ first choice for the Summer Cup, in spite of not running since the Champions Challenge.

Madador Man, seventh in the Victory Moon Stakes, is on the drift in ante-post betting and has slipped down from second to sixth on the log.

There are two new horses on the list – Coral Fever and Master Switch, second and third in the Victory Moon and both shorter now in the Summer Cup betting. Liege and scratched Glider Pilot are the two who slid off.

The final field for the Summer Cup will be decided tomorrow and draws will be balloted on Wednesday.

Tabnews