Gambled on, Puerto Manzano (s/s 108 – SP 11/2, in from 12/1) rallied to win the 2022 Grade 1 Summer Cup in a pulsating finish against Safe Passage. Keagan de Melo was riding for JAJ van Vuuren, who had the son of Seek Again (USA) perfectly primed for this 2000m race after a fine prep to Bingwa in November over a mile.
Puerto Manzano has won six of 19 starts and can now add a coveted G1 to his CV after placing a couple times at that level. De Melo explained that Puerto Manzano loves Turffontein and is best ridden patiently so that he can unwind then produce a turn of foot from off the pace.
Safe Passage (s/s 108) tried hard but just could not hold out. Still, it was a sterling try by the Mike de Kock trained four-year-old who finished ahead of his stable mate Aragosta (s/s 107).
Van Vuuren also had the satisfaction of saddling fourth placed Divine Odyssey – the veteran running a blinder worthy of a speed score of 107. Litigation (s/s 104) was next best.
There were several notable performances at Turffontein on Saturday – as one would expect for such a strong card. Strong front runner, Forever Mine (s/s 106) went gun to tape to win a 1400m Pinnacle Stakes over Indlamu (s/s 105) in the days next best speed figure.
Vars Vicky (s/s 104) sprung a 33/1 upset in the Grade 3 Merchants, racing handy then kicking on resolutely to give weight and a beating to Tread Swiftly (s/s 102). The Var gelding has received positive write ups in this newsletter in the past and can mix it with the best around when in a galloping mood. Last year he took out the Senor Santa (G2 over this – his preferred course and distance. He is trained by Stuart Pettigrew who continues to maintain an excellent winning strike rate.
Mike de Kock covered all bases in the Grade 2 Dingaans over 1600m as Rafeef colt, Union Square (s/s 99 +) took advantage of a saloon passage to get first run on a chasing Shoemaker, (s/s 97 +) with East Coast (s/s 96 +) completing the MDK trifecta.
Gimme a Shot (by Gimmethegreenlight – s/s 103) was most impressive in the G2 Ipi Tombe Challenge, run in a quicker final time than the slow-early, Dingaans. Jockey JP van der Merwe speaks highly of the filly who came scooting through to put three lengths between herself and a toiling Under Your Spell (s/s 98). The seriously talented three-year-old filly is trained by Mike/Adam Azzie.
Alula’s Star (s/s 100) prevailed in the G3 Magnolia Handicap in a tight one versus Gobsmacked (s/s 99). The chestnut Red Ray filly is another out of Pettigrew’s stable – the savvy horseman sent her out in fine fettle to run a career best.
Charles Dickens (s/s 109 ++ !!) was freaky good in his 1400m Cape Guineas prep at Kenilworth on Sunday. He gave weight and trounced former Guineas winner Russian Rock, as he floated in by three lengths, whilst being eased down by Aldo Domeyer. The flashy chestnut son of Trippi ran the last 800m in 46.6 seconds, accelerating off a fast early pace, and could have gone much quicker if needed. The Bass stable have nicknamed their potentially world class charge “goosebumps,” with Candice Bass graciously saying that “it’s a privilege but also full of pressure to work with Charles Dickens – he is a freak and such an honor to train.”
Imilenzeyokoduduma (s/s 103 +) concludes this weekend round up, chock full of notable triple digit speed figures. The Peter Muscutt trained gelding was winning his fourth start from eight outings and can go in against stronger opposition based on this fluent score, attained despite a slow start from a wide draw.