Charl Pretorius horse racing
More than R20-million is expected to be paid out in winning bets at Turffontein on Saturday on what is being touted as “an afternoon in a million”. The occasion is the running of Africa’s richest horse race, the R2-million Summer Handicap, and a record crowd is expected at the Johannesburg track.
The Summer Handicap, over 2 000m, is the fifth race on a 10-race card and a field of 20 highly accomplished performers will face the starter at 2.30pm. The race has an open appearance and at least 10 runners have good winning chances on recent form.
At the weights, however, the race could develop into a match between the two Australian-bred imports, Double Reef and Delta Form. Double Reef, an improving six-time winner from 15 starts, rounded off his preparation for the Summer Handicap with a fast-finishing third behind Young Rake at Scottsville a fortnight ago. This time around, the longer Turffontein run-in will favour the son of Last Tycoon and he is expected to turn the tables on the Scottsville victor.
Double Reef has been prepared specifically with this race in mind, and will be ready for this, his third run after a short lay-off. In addition, the gelding is drawn in the middle of the field, which will allow jockey Kevin Shea to place him at will when the pace is on in the early stages. Shea, who won this race in 1982 on the New Zealand-bred gelding Have a Fling, is riding the crest of the wave at present.
Mike de Kock’s runner, Delta Form, is unbeaten in three runs for his new trainer. He gave a good indication of his current well-being with a 7,5 length thrashing of Debt Propelled at Newmarket early this month.
Against Delta Form is the fact that he will start from the worst of draws, and jockey Willy Figueroa will have his work cut out from the number 20 stall gate. Delta Form’s stable companions, Badger’s Coast and Kimberley Mine, will also jump from wide positions and although both will be super-fit on the day, their draws could prove to be vital constraining factors when the whips start cracking over the last 400m.
That said, both Badger’s Coast and Kimberley Mine put up impressive pre-race gallops at Turffontein last Sunday, and trainer De Kock is confident of sharing in the prize money. Former J&B Met winner Badger’s Coast appears well treated by the handicapper, while the talented Oaks-winning filly Kimberley Mine has reportedly peaked at the right time.
There has been a lot of talk about Geoff Woodruff’s smart filly, Cover Look, who will jump from a favourable draw with champion jockey Anton Marcus aboard. Although she has never won in open company, there is little doubt that Cover Look has the ability to become the first filly since Empress Club (1992) to lift the coveted Summer Handicap Trophy. Woodruff won the race last year with El Picha and knows what it takes to prepare a runner for this big occasion.
Other runners who come into the reckoning are Young Rake, Polo Classic, Ingleside and Unknown Heights, while Queen’s Consul could be the best outsider. Trainer Joey Soma’s runner finished third in this race last year and is sure to be running on strongly in the closing stages.
Great racing aside, Turffontein’s programme of entertainment includes a fashion competition, celebrity interviews, a celebrity sprint on the racetrack, the first public appearance by 16 Miss South Africa finalists and live jazz, with buskers, mini-train rides and jumping castles for the kids. A spectacular display and after-party will follow the last race.