Jack Milner
Over the past 135 years, the Summer Cup has been won by some of the best horses to race in the country and this year we have one of the strongest fields assembled for some time.
As trainer Mike de Kock said at the launch for this year’s race, there are six million reasons why you want your horse to get a shot at the 2024 event. That comment comes courtesy of Betway, who announced the stake money for this year’s event would be upped to R6 million, making it not only the richest race in South Africa but also on the entire African continent.
So, 20 horses will be lining up for this year’s Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup which will be run at 4pm on Saturday over 2000m on the Standside track at Turffontein.
The thrill of the race is not the only item that will grip the attention of racegoers as the 11-race card contains six other feature races as well as numerous betting opportunities.
Firstly, there is a R2 million Pick 6 carryover with a likely pool of R7 million as well as R1 million kicking off the Summer Cup Quartet which should reach some R3 million. In addition, there will be two BiPots and three Jackpots.
The field has also attracted out-of-province support with two of the highest rated horses on their way up to the Highveld from KwaZulu-Natal. One of them is last year’s winner, Royal Victory, and the other is two-time Grade 1 winner See It Again.
Undoubtedly one of the best in the land, Michael Roberts-trained See it Again will be making his debut at Turffontein, while Royal Victory is an old hand at the course with an excellent record of three wins and three places in seven starts. More importantly, he is unbeaten in both starts over 2000m, the other coming in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge in April.
He also gets 3kg from See It Again and on form, they are very close together. The weight difference in the HWB Durban July was the same, and See It Again finished 0.40 lengths behind the Nathan Kotzen-trained runner.
They both had their prep runs for this race in the same event, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m at HWB Greyville, where, courtesy of Rachel Venniker’s allowance, Royal Victory had to concede 1.5kg to his rival.
See It Again came out on top, beating Royal Victory by 1.20 lengths, which means the latter will now be 4.5kg better off.
On the basis of that run alone, it should be one-way traffic for Royal Victory.
But that does not tell the whole story because we are likely to see a new and improved See It Again this time. One of the reasons he was not performing well was that he was haemoconcentrating and needed gelding. That operation was performed in August and that could result in major improvement.
“People are trying to base everything on a prep run,” said Roberts on Thursday. “My horse is doing very well, and I still believe they have to beat us.”
Talking about that prep run, he added: “See It Again is the kind of horse that will chase anything that is in front of him but when he hits the front, he idles. That’s what happened at Greyville.
“Before gelding he always used to lug in. This time he ran as straight as an arrow.
“I also believe he will like the longer run-in and the tougher Turffontein course.
“He’s not a horse who shows a lot at home so to calculate exactly how much he has improved is not easy, but if he improves two lengths that will be awesome.”
When people question See It Again’s single warm-up run Roberts responds: “Tell me how many warm-up runs Royal Victory has got?”
The answer is, exactly the same.
“Of course, I respect Royal Victory. He’s a nice horse and he does seem to prefer Turffontein.
“But if See It Again travels well, I think he is the horse to beat.”
Both horses will have ample assistance from the saddle as Piere Strydom is back aboard See It Again while Gavin Lerena rides Royal Victory.
However, this is not just a two-horse race and there are a number of others to consider. Top of that list has to be Main Defender. Tony Peter’s charge undoubtedly has the class to win this race but will he see out 2000m?
He fell slightly short in the Betway Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m but he still may have been in need of a run and he did give 11kg to the winner.
“He’s doing well,” said Peter. “He came through Victory Moon run exceptionally well and he’s got a lovely draw.”
Commenting on the distance, Peter added: “His mother went 2000m and with a patient ride I think he will see out the distance. The idea is to probably stalk the speed and wait as long as possible.”
Another runner who will relish the track and trip is Purple Victory, winner of two Grade 1 races at Turffontein. Robyn Klaasen’s charge has had two very decent warm-up runs and will be tough to catch if he can get to the lead in the straight.
Fillies Frances Ethel and Silver Sanctuary must also come into the reckoning and a lot of attention will be on the former as UK champion jockey Oisin Murphy takes the ride on the James Crawford-trained runner.
De Kock-trained Greaterix is looking to be the best banker on the card in the Grade 2 Betway Dingaans over 1600m. He is highly regarded by the stable and the manner of his last win over the course and distance was very impressive.
However, there will be a lot of interest in last season’s Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Quid Pro Quo. Trainer Barend Botes was not able to find the perfect warm-up race for her but she has done a lot of work since arriving in Joburg, much of it being performed by former champion jockey Andrew Fortune
“Andrew has given her three gallops,” said Botes on Wednesday. “He worked her this morning and he was very happy. He gave me the confidence that she would run a good race.”
Talking of his charge Botes added: “She’s certainly the best I’ve ever had. She has grown a bit and is a better horse.”
It should be pointed out that she is the best-weighted runner, courtesy of her sex allowance, and has Strydom, who will put up 0.5kg overweight, in the irons.