Scott Bros Stallions Good Chance In Gr1 Gold Cup
| Scott Bros Stallions Good Chance In Gr1 Gold Cup |
The Scott Bros stallions, Mogok and Miesque’s Approval have the only KZN horses represented in the eLan Gr1 Gold Cup to be run on Saturday at Greyville. Mogok is represented by the Scott Bros-bred Wild One, whilst priort Gr2 winner J’s Outsider by Miesque’s Approval was bred by Avalon Stud.
The Mike de Kock-trained Wild One put in pleasing work at Summerveld on Tuesday under big race rider Anthony Delpech and remains the favourite for the Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup over 3200m to be run on Super Saturday at Greyville over the weekend.
Delpech said Wild One was never one to show much at home, but both he and De Kock were very pleased with his well-being. De Kock also emphasised that this horse was at present very sound. The yard were bullish about his chances.
Owner Sean Phillips bought Wild One back for R200 000 at a January dispersal sale, which speaks volumes for the regard in which he is held, considering he will turn six on Gold Cup day. The decision could well pay dividends.
The Mogok gelding jumps from a plum draw of five and is coming off two excellent second places in the Gr 2 Cup Trial over 1800m and the KZN Breeders Million Mile respectively, which were both run at Greyville. On those two runs he looks to have improved, so looks capable of handling the overall six point merit rated raise he has been given since finishing a 0,5 length second in last year’s the Gold Cup. He has clearly benefitted from the long layoff he was given after his gallant effort in that big race.
Wild One is out of Endangered Species by Sapieha.
Dennis Drier has already won an incredible five Gr1s this Champions Season and could add another two on Super Saturday this weekend, so racing historians could well be sifting through the archives to see whether he has broken any records in this regard.
The Miesque’s Approval gelding bred by Joe Jackson of Avalon Stud, J’s Outsider has his third run for the yard in the Gr1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup over 3200m, having finished fourth in the Gr 2 Gold Vase over 3000m on July day.
Assistant trainer Stuart Ferrie said, “He is getting better and better and must have a chance. The wide draw (17) is a bit of a hassle but on his last couple of runs he is on the improve.” He will have no problem with the trip having proven he stays every inch of it when winning the Gr 2 Gold Bowl over the tough Turffontein 3200m in slightly soft going.
“Sean Veale rides his work every day and felt he would have been “a massive runner” if better drawn. However, Veale said he would “take his chances” from this draw, meaning he would probably drop him out.
J’s Outsider is 2kg worse off with Solid Speed from the Gold Vase, despite having been beaten by him by 1,75 lengths, but he is 1kg better off with Gold Vase runner up Wild Ash for a 1,9 length beating. J’s Outsider is out of Qui Danzig mare, Zest For Spice.
Drier has already recaptured the KZN Trainer Championships this season, being well clear of reigning champion Duncan Howells, and his perennial rival Mike de Kock will finish third.
Miesque’s Approval lies in 10th position on the National Sires Log. The Gr1 Breeders Cup Turf Mile winner has also topped the logs for producing winners on Artificial surfaces for most of the past racing season. His recent Graded Stakes winners include Gr2 Victory Moon Stakes winner (and Gr1 second in the Gr1 Summer Cup) Judicial whilst J’s Outsider won the Gr2 Gold Vase. Miesque’s Approval stands for a fee of R20 000 this season, matching the fee of Mogok – the sire of international Group winners Gypsy’s Warning and The Apache as well as Gr1 winnning Orbison.
– extract goldcircle.co.za
