Trainer and jockey comments for the features on Summer Cup day.

G-Bets Gauteng Summer Cup Grade 1

Mike de Kock
All of my runners are flying at home. Cascapedia has had two very good runs coming into the Summer Cup without getting a penalty. She’s got a good weight and I good draw – I have no complaints.

Takingthepeace was very well treated in the Victory Moon Stakes. That race favours fillies because they get a very generous sex allowance. She’s definitely a Standside track filly and she’s come on a little since her Victory Moon win. She’s a hard knocker and likes a lot of racing coming into the big one.

The weights are not ideal, though. She’s 4.5kg worse off with Like A Panther so that will be in his favour. I’m surprised people were disappointed with his Victory Moon run. I thought he ran a very good race. He was badly drawn, they went slowly and we dropped him out because he is better from off the pace. He ran on well. He’s another who has had a great prep but he has a bad draw again and will need a bit of pace.

Noble Secret found the Charity Mile too short. They sprinted away from him but he was cutting them back at the death. He is a far better horse at 2000m than 1600m. I am extremely happy with him and I feel he’s prepped very well. Any rain will be of benefit to his chances.

I really didn’t expect Kilrain to get in to the race and he is way under sufferance. He’s a good, honest horse but he looks outclassed. We’re hoping for at least eighth spot because they pay prize money up to eighth place.

Sean Tarry
Liege has a handy weight for a Grade 1 winner – carries 53kg same as last year. Doing well, has had a good prep, and has an Eachway chance. Social Order has also had a good prep, and the last time he went 2000m he was beaten 1.75 lengths by Coral Fever at levels. Also has an Eachway chance. Tilbury Fort has a definite chance. I was very impressed with his run in the Charity Mile. He has really improved with gelding.

Geoff Woodruff
After her win in the SA Oaks I figured Secret Potion would be my Summer Cup horse, but it was fully confirmed when she beat Cascapedia last time. She has a light weight (53kg) and there are no stamina doubts there. I’m not at all worried about the fact she’s only had one run after a layoff – Master (Sabina) won after having just one run too. Generally that’s just an excuse. Some horses may need it, but she ticks all the boxes. In a field that big you obviously need luck in running, and you need to avoid getting interfered with. She is well built but we don’t want her to get into a scrap. But her ability and willingness is second to none. She has a beautiful temperament.

Deo Juvente was actually shaken after his last race. He was coughing a bit. A few horses in the yard were too but that’s sorted – gave him antibiotics and he is 100% clean now. He’ll improve beautifully I believe. On his day he is as good as any horse. He is well. Probably the closest to best he has ever been.

Paul Peter
Fort Ember has a lot less weight to carry than when she ran second last year and her ability hasn’t deteriorated in the last 12 months. She’s the same if not better.

Sabina’s Dynasty was very unlucky in the Victory Moon. She loves Turffontein and she loves jockey Piere Strydom. Keeping Piere on her for the Cup means she will carry 1kg more than she should because he cannot make the weight. But he’s worth more than the 1kg because she is a very difficult ride and has to be ridden in a specific way.

Muzi Yeni
Coral Fever is very well in himself and has come out of the Charity Mile very well. It’s a handicap and he’s earned the weight – I mean, he’s won a Grade 1 and a Grade 2 over the course and distance. He did well to win the Charity Mile but will be better suited to 2000m.

Frank Robinson
Roy Had Enough is very well and I am hoping he can be competitive.

Mike Azzie
Arctica is very honest but this is a tough field for him.

Ashley Fortune
Cash Time is getting back to his best and I am hoping for the best.

Gokhan Terzi
Tandava has his third run back so is likely to be at peak fitness, He has won us a race at 75-1 odds so we remain hopeful.

Merchants Grade 2

Sean Tarry
I was a bit disappointed with Africa Rising’s latest. He is better weighted now and certainly has the ability to be involved. There aren’t too many races for Captain And Master so I’ve brought him back to a sprint, but it’s a bit on the sharp side. Captain’s Causeway has made a fair return after six months off in a strong race. Better weighted here and should get closer. S’manga pulled Wonderwall out of the race last week but we didn’t find anything obviously wrong. He has an Eachway chance on best form, but ultimately mighty need gelding.

Mike Azzie
Down To Zero put up a very good gallop recently so can run well. Rivarine won well last time out and with 54.5kg looks the one they all have to beat.

Duncan Howells
Procal Harum is doing well and I expect him to get into the Quartet.

World Sports Betting Ipi Tombe Challenge Grade 2

Sean Tarry

Redberry Lane’s last run was disappointing and we’re hoping to put a line through that. She is in very good order, and has an obvious winning chance.

Mike de Kock
Dagmar ran a very good race last time and the form has worked out. I thought she should have won. There is a small question mark at the mile, but she is very well and has improved. Nafaayes is also well treated at the weights and she’s coming off a pretty good form line. She must have a chance but the one concern is that she’s relatively unexposed with the older horses. Silver Thursday needed the run badly last time still a run short of her best. I make it a very open race.

Duncan Howells
Fiorella has proven to be top class so I am expecting her have a big chance.

Geoff Woodruff
Al Danza had a lovely last run (0.30 lengths behind Cascapedia). Like Deo, on her day she is very good. I’m quite surprised people aren’t tipping her. Just so you know, Gavin (Lerena) picked her himself, and we all know he is no fool. I’m optimistic.

Frank Robinson
Roy’s Riviera is very well and I am hoping for the best.

Candice Dawson
Sylvan On Fire’s work at home has been solid. Although I think she’s looking for 2000m we have opted for the mile (1600m) for now. So I’ve stuck blinkers on. This shouldn’t be a problem and she should get into the race earlier. Third run after a rest. She should be cherry ripe.

Epol Magnolia Handicap Grade 3
Geoff Woodruff
Schippers has an obvious chance. Would’ve loved her to have won but wasn’t upset with her last run when fourth against the boys. She’ll be there.

Mike Azzie
Mrs O is showing decent work so can come on from her last run.

Candice Dawson
This might be the last time Captain’s Princess sees a sprint as I feel she needs further. But off a galloping weight like that, I hope she will be a contender.

Sean Tarry
Colour Of Light is in a very open and competitive race. She had a fair comeback and has an outside chance. Very similar story for Image Award. Not too far off after a rest and should be competitive.

Duncan Howells
Accidental Tourist is in a tough race but should give a good account of herself.

Secretariat Stakes Listed

Sean Tarry
Against The Grain won his maiden nicely. He is very well, and not without a chance in an open handicap. Cordillera had a fair post-maiden effort in a strong looking Assessment Plate. He has a Quartet chance. Royal Italian may not have seen out the mile in his last two, and can improve here. Shuckra is a nice colt who needs a lot further. He should be finishing strongly.

Mike de Kock
I thought Blonde Vision won a good maiden. She comes off reasonable form lines and I think this race will be a good test of her ability. Firdoas is a good filly. She had a good last run and the form has worked out. She’s probably the class horse of the race but will find it tough at the weights. Viking Trail is a nice type of horse who wants further. I decided to throw him in deep end and a see how good he is

Racing Association Handicap Listed

Frank Robinson
Top Classman is very well and I am expecting a big run from him.

Geoff Woodruff
Ali Bon Dubai had a terrific win last time out but has taken a knock in handicap.Has vastly improved and is super-fit. Mark Khan will ride him more quietly this time. We’re hoping for the best.

Mike de Kock
Secret Captain is a very confusing horse. He has no distance, he has promised much and delivered little. He also seems to lack a bit of courage. It’s all very frustrating. The jockeys who have ridden him all suggest we should try him over further so that’s what we done.

Sean Tarry
We are taking a chance with Mighty And Magic as he is out at the weights. But he does stay well and could surprise.