Every now and then a son or daughter of speed stallion Var breaks the mould with a horse like Queen’s Plate winner Vardy.
Shampompo Shampizi could be one of those. He won his debut over 1000m but has since not looked like a sprinter. Given time and distance he is rewarding connections with impressive performances, and he could defy his given rating again with another strong run in Race 7 at Greyville on Sunday, the Listed King’s Cup over 1600m.
He is meeting horses like Native Tongue who has run close-up to the best, but in his last race Shampompo Shampizi was up against it on ratings and defied the odds. The form line is proving to be one of the strongest, with Socrates winning a difficult race next time out as well as Al’s My Daddy, Tread Swiftly and Keep It Secret scoring in their respective heats.
The fortunes of the Dennis Drier yard look to have changed recently. The yard had a three-timer last Sunday and the winners could come thick and fast again.
Red Sole has been costly to follow but he could be in the right race on Sunday. He finds himself the best rated runner (of those with exposed form) with the best barrier in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1600m. He was unlucky in his last race and could be hard to beat.
Two youngsters out to prove themselves are Cyber Time (Race 5) and Fateful Day (Race 8). Both need to build up strong credentials to run in upcoming features during KwaZulu-Natal’s Champion Season.
Cyber Time impressed over 1600m and on running style was expected to follow up in his next test. But he looked to have done too much in a slow-run race over further, especially with the going coming up a bit soft.
Given fast ground and a true run race he could win at decent odds.
Fateful Day is also highly thought off and he has not been scratched whenever he landed a wide barrier, which indicates the confidence of his connections. However, he has drawn wide in a tough race this which is his acid test.
Still, he receives chunks of weight from likely favourite in Western Cape contender Royal Watch, among others. Royal Watch is racing after a rest in which he was gelded and may just need the race.
Expect decent odds about Fateful Day’s chances.
Clive Robinson
