Betway Summer Cup aspirants line up in Victory Moon Stakes

Jack Milner

Time is running out for those still hoping to secure a place in the 20-horse field for the Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup on Saturday 28 November.

The final field is scheduled to be revealed on Tuesday 17 November so there are just 11 days left to achieve that goal.

Therefore, the Grade 3 TAB Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m at TAB Turffontein on Sunday is almost the “last chance saloon” for horses on the periphery to procure their places.

There are a number of Summer Cup contenders in that race on the Standside track but three runners in particular stand out and they are Drumnadrochit, Palace Prince and Field Marshal.

Field Marshal, however, was scracthed on Sunday morning due to muscus in his trachea.

The manner in which Drumnadrochit destroyed the opposition by 11.25 lengths in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1800m on the Standside track was remarkable and owing to the race conditions, the handicapper was restricted as to what penalty could be.

This time the Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained daughter of Rafeef will take on a stronger field and does have a wide draw, but she will carry just 51.5kg and does look the runner to beat.

Chase Maujean takes the ride.

St John Gray has his horses in outstanding form and Palace Prince has won two of his last four starts. However, he finished 12.75 lengths behind Drumnadrochit and is now 4.5kg better off, which on paper should not be enough. But on a more galloping track he should get a lot closer.

Tony Peter sends out Main Defender who is not a Summer Cup candidate and is specifically being targeted at this Grade 3 prize. Runner-up in 2024, the six-year-old has a strong chance of going one better this time under reigning champion jockey Craig Zackey.

 

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 3 Secraterix, 12 Quite A Day, 10 Amberforgo, 1 Satisfied

Race 2:  2 High Fidelity, 3 King In The East, 5 The Headmaster, 1 Mulholland Drive

Race 3:  2 Treasure State, 4 Royal Horizon, 3 Michael Faraday, 6 Ehhfifteenkjoe

Race 4:  6 Speedman, 1 Taxi To The Moon, 3 Ziyasha, 4 Charming Cheetah

Race 5:  2 Green Diamond, 7 Precocious, 6 Playing Trix, 10 Whistle The Tune

Race 6:  1 Reece’s Wish, 7 Willy Meet Again, 4 Care Forgot, 5 Kensal Green

Race 7:  12 Drumnadrochit, 5 Main Defender, 1 Palace Prince, 3 Legend Of Arthur

Race 8:  2 Mission To Mars, 5 Porridge Boy, 7 Yippee Kiyay, 3 Solar Sail

Race 9:  1 Shoreybomba, 6 Camillo Cavour, 11 Cool Gambler, 2 Zip Code

Race 10: 6 Continental King, 16 Little Boy Blue, 8 Set To Music, 5 Glastonbury Fire

 

BEST BET

Race 6:  1 Reece’s Wish

VALUE BET

Race 10: 6 Continental King

BEST SWINGER

Race 5 2×7

 

BIPOT

R96

Leg 1: 2, 3

Leg 2: 2, 3, 4, 6

Leg 3: 1, 3, 6

Leg 4: 2, 7

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 5, 12

 

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 2, 3, 4

Leg 2: 1, 6

Leg 3: 2, 7

Leg 4: 1

Leg 5: 5, 12

Leg 6: 2, 5, 7

Leg 7: 1, 6, 11

 

PICK 6

R1920

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Leg 2: 2, 6, 7, 10

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 1, 5, 6, 12

Leg 5: 2, 3, 5, 7

Leg 6: 1, 2, 6, 8, 11

 

JACKPOT 1

R64

Leg 1: 2, 6, 7, 10

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 1, 5, 6, 12

Leg 4: 2, 3, 5, 7

 

JACKPOT 2

R320

Leg 1: 1, 5, 6, 12

Leg 2: 2, 3, 5, 7

Leg 3: 1, 2, 6, 8, 11

Leg 4: 5, 6, 8, 16