James hopes for A Super Summer Cup upset

Jack Milner

Bettors obviously want to back a winner, but many people are also looking for value where they can win a sizeable sum for a small outlay.

While most eyes are focused on runners from the Mike de Kock, Sean Tarry and Johan Janse van Vuuren Stables in Saturday’s R2.5-million Betway Summer Cup over 2000m at Turffontein, James Crawford feels his charge, Super Silvano, could be the outsider those punters are looking for in the Grade 1 race.

Although just 23 years old, the younger Crawford runs the Highveld satellite yard for his father, Brett, and has performed admirably since setting up the Randjesfontein stables.

“I think Super Silvano is the dark horse in the race,” Crawford said on Wednesday. “He has a lot of ability and is a horse a lot of people have overlooked.

“He has run behind some very good horses, some who have made big statements in South African racing.”

Super Silvano has certainly run against some decent horses, finishing third to Golden Ducat in the Grade 1 Cape Derby and then a 2.35-length fourth behind the same horse in the Grade 2 Premier Trophy, both at Kenilworth.

He also ran a 0.75-lengths second behind Katak in the Grade 3 Legal Stakes and that winner is now racing in Singapore where he is winning Graded races.

He ran second behind One Way Traffic in the Durban July Consolation race over 2200m at Greyville on Durban July day and has had two excellent races since returning from a break.

Last time out he finished a three-length sixth behind Litigation in the Grade 3 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein - and that was from No 17 draw.

“The draw we pulled for the Summer Cup is actually right where I wanted,” added Crawford. “I said if we pulled between No 4 and No 8 I’d be smiling – and we drew No 8.

“There’s pace inside of us, there’s pace outside of us, so as long as he breaks well and gets in a good position, I think he’s a runner.”

For those who fancy Super Silvano, 50-1 is available and if he runs in the first four he certainly will add value to the carryover Quartet pool which is likely to reach R2 million.