[SAF] Summer Cup Review, Dubai Preview

 

Ilha Da Vitoria, the daughter of Candy Stripes, finally cracked her GR1 win and she did it in style. Unable to get forward from her wide draw in the 18 horse field, jockey Mawing opted to drop back to last along the rail. Going through halfway, the mare was called 17 lengths off the leaders. Swinging into the home stretch, with a little over 600 metres to run, Mawing switched around the field to the outside rail, looking for the best going. By the time they got to the 200, it was all over. Ilha Da Vitoria stormed past the field and won by an ever increasing five lengths.

 

It turned out to be a good race for this handicapper, tipping Ilha Da Vitoria to win in my latest column and my longshot fourth choice, Bluesky County coming home a clear second at 25/1. Another longshot, Cup Of Grace, got third ahead of the fancied Jam Alley.

 

 

The South African contingent has been very successful in Dubai over the last few seasons, and is preparing to launch another assault on the lucrative prize money on offer. As always, the charge is spearheaded by the Mike De Kock yard, and he has 16 contenders in Dubai this season. Amongst his newcomers is a very exciting US-bred prospect, Where’s That Tiger. The colt is a son of Storm Cat out of a sister to Fusaichi Pegasus and may develop into the yards primary Derby contender. Lundy’s Liability returns to the yard after a campaign in the USA. A Brazilian GR1 winner, Evil Knieval, also joins the stable, along with Falstaff, a two time winner by Montjeu. Team Valor’s Irridescence is looking to follow in the footsteps of Ipi Tombe and Crimson Palace. Tyson, last seasons Summer Cup winner, will be a big stable hope, as will the big guns from last year: Wolf Whistle, Greys Inn, Emerald Beauty and Right Approach. Bon Fleur, an unraced full brother to Victory Moon, will be the first stable runner to make an appearance with a start planned for 15 December.

 

A few other trainers will be representing the country in Dubai this season, and we’re all hopeful of top performances yet again.