NEW MONKEY TO FIRE IN CANNON

South Africa will play host to Grade III Racing this weekend as it holds one of the toughest staying events for three year olds and up so far this year. The time honoured Cannon Gold Cup is a staying test over the world renown gruelling two mile turf course in South Africa and there will be no place to hide for the feint hearted when the whips are cracking in the final stretch.  A field of six combatants have assembled so let’s see how they look.

1 – THE REEF RETURNS(KY) – lglong2yo – 9/5

(EMPIRE MAKER x MILL REEF x NIJINSKY II)

E Eberhard ( 526 – 96 – 106 – 85 – 18% )

A seasoned top level campaigner who revels over the two mile journey. A5yo who has won eight from twenty nine who has impressed at his last two efforts over this distance. Three starts back he won over two miles at this level careering away to salute by 4 and three quarter lengths. He also ran a quality second in the Grade 1 Ackland Cup over two miles five starts back. This race looks custom made for him.

2 – SIR WALTER SCOTT(IRE) – armagedon – 8/1

(DYLAN THOMAS (IRE) x MONTJEU (IRE) x DARSHAAN(ENG))

E Bueche ( 95 – 8 – 10 – 5 – 8% )

A nicely bred 4yo who has grown an extra leg since being tried over the two mile trip.  Just five starts back this horse was claimed after a win over two miles and moved to the southern hemisphere to run. Since that time it has been a meteoric rise from claimer to Grade III winner and even a fourth place at Grade I level. The main concern in his recent form would have to be his last start failure when beaten thirty four and a quarter lengths over this trip at Grade two level. If he can return to his best he can figure in the money.

3 – REBECCA’S ROSES(JPN) – dodoben – 8/1

(ROSES IN MAY x BOLD RUCKUS x MR. PROSPECTOR)

J Eusebio ( 106 – 10 – 10 – 15 – 9% )

The only mare in this race and one of the form runners after coming off back to back two mile wins in allowance company, prior to that she had also managed a third over two miles in a Grade two event over this distance.  Her last two wins have been extra convincing and she could continue on her merry way here. Should be mid-field and looking to power home.

4 – NEW MONEY(KY) – lenny30 – 8/5

(MINESHAFT x DANEHILL x FAPPIANO)

T Loesch ( 602 – 178 – 114 – 88 – 30% )

The class runner of the field with a turf long ranking of 8 who is coming off an ultra impressive two mile win which featured one of the most bold front running displays we have witnessed in a long long time. That was his second Grade II two mile win in recent times and showed why this superbly bred 4yo has amassed over two million dollars in prizemoney.  It would be no surprise to see him try and string this field out again and break their hearts with his supreme fitness. Hard to go past this guy here.

5 – LOWLAND LIGHTNING(ENG) – pinerivers – 4/1

(MOTIVATOR (GB) x GREEN DESERT x PIVOTAL(GB))

R Kirby ( 174 – 25 – 20 – 22 – 14% )

A consistent colt who has not run over the two mile trip for six starts. His last effort over this trip was an allowance win when he produced an eye catching SP# of 100. Has been running on well in events and has also won recently over twelve furlongs as well has his last start win over fourteen furlongs. He looks to be trained to the minute for this and veteran jockey Kirby will try to give him every chance. Will need to be at his best.

6 – BOROMIR(IRE) – ceclaim9 – 9/1

(HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) x RAINBOW QUEST x CAERLEON)

J Smith ( 397 – 56 – 65 – 54 – 14% )

Had strung together three impressive wins in a row, all at the Queensland circuit before his last three outings in Graded events all over the two miles. He managed two top three placings in those events before a disappointing fifth last start when beaten by over twenty lengths. He is definitely up to this level of racing but may have met his match today with the quality field. Take on trust.

In an event that could shape up as a battle of tactics I’ve gone for

4-1-3-5

Good Luck and Good Punting

BUTCHA