Clive Robinson
The Grade 2 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m is often seen as not only one of the key warm-up races for the Betway Summer Cup but also the last chance for those sitting on the periphery of the log hoping to earn a berth in the R2.5 million Grade 1 race over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday 26 November.
A number of hopefuls used last week’s Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile for their final preparations but there are a host of key runners in action on Saturday in this year’s Victory Moon Stakes.
Topping the list is Durban July champion Sparkling Water, who will be looking to win the Victory Moon Stakes for the second successive year. This is the ideal race for the Mike de Kock-trained runner because although she gets a 2kg penalty for her Grade 1 triumph in the Durban July, it is more than offset by a 2.5kg sex allowance.
She is reunited with S’manga Khumalo but has landed No 14 draw. However, she is No 3 on the Betway Summer Cup log so her place is not under threat.
One very interesting runner is Perfect Witness who comes out as the best weighted competitor under the race conditions. While the Candice Dawson-trained filly has placed in a number of Graded races she has yet to win one and as such, does not get a penalty.
But what she does get is the 2.5kg sex allowance and that has resulted in her coming into this race with just 50kg on her back. To add to her advantage, she is beautifully drawn at No 4 and has a top jockey in Muzi Yeni who certainly knows how to make use of a light weight.
The only concern is that while rarely out of the places, Perfect Witness is too often the bridesmaid and not the bride.
Both Yeni and trainer Candice Dawson will be doing their best to ensure that this is the race where it will all happen.
Trainer Corne Spies firmly believes William Robertson, winner of the Grade 2 Topbet Joburg Spring Challengeover 1450m, will see out 2000m in the Betway Summer Cup if ridden more patiently and this will be tested on Saturday.
He has a magnificent turn of foot but jockeys tend to press the button as they turn for home and as a result he hits the front 400m from home and then becomes one paced.
“If you watch him you can see he is not fading out of contention,” explained Spies. “He is built like a stayer, and I believe he will see it out.”
This time he has engaged Marco Van Rensburg to take the ride. The Rafeef gelding is nicely drawn at No 2 but has top weight of 61kg.
De Kock will also be giving SA Derby winner Aragosta his warm-up in this race, his first outing since finishing unplaced in the Gold Cup. He has only once run a bad race at Turffontein and there were excuses for that performance. He will be ridden by Julius Mariba, but is drawn No 16.
