WITH  only a few days to go to the running of the R2 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup over 1400 metres at Turffontein, the panel choosing the final field have released the latest log based on the 32 official entries received last Friday.

The log up until last week listed all those graduates from last year’s Ready To Run sale whose owners had “ticked the box” and who had run before. The log order is obviously subject to change between now and final declarations which take place on Tuesday 1^st November. Only 16 horses can run and supplementary entries close this Friday 28^th October. The log as it currently stands with merit ratings included is :

1. Extra Zero     94
2. Red Barrel     80
3. Verrochio      86
4. Kinematic Countess            86
5. Admiral John Peter           81
6. Frontino Gold                      86
7. Blaze Of Fire                         88
8. Acapella                                 82
9. Dansili Express                    84
10. Saucy Savannah                  81
11. Sheztheclubqueen             84
12. Penhaligon                           84
13. Americano                           71
14. Solar Charged                      81
15. Moet Magic                          77
16. Tony’s Tipple                        80
17. Countess Bacardi                79
18. Bonny Blue                           78
19. Impartial Justice                 75
20. Blazing Sunset                     81
21. Abudhabi                              52
22. Dea Dia                                  78
23. Ikati                                        77
24. King’s Castle                         –
25. Light Blue                              80
26. Private Banking                   71
27. Proud Moment                    68
28. Secret Fort                           78
29. She’s Got Gears                  61
30. The Alamo                            –
31. The Club King                       –
32. Top Talent                            74

The picking of the final field will be no easy task for the panel which this year is made up of Gold Circle’s Graeme Hawkins, Phumelela’s Patrick Davis and Senior NHRA handicapper Roger Smith. Fillies enjoyed pride of finishing positions in the 2010 running with Hollywoodboulevard and the champion filly Igugu filling the exacta.

It is worthwhile noting that at time of going to press, the top rated horse in the field is Sean Tarry’s filly, Extra Zero who has already had 6 runs and is Group 1 placed having run third to Princess Victoria, last season’s champion 2 year old filly in the Golden Slipper on Vodacom Durban July day. Sean also has Verrochio entered. He was a very impressive winner at Turffontein last week for his Congolese connections, the Papageorgiou’s who were on hand to witness their horse’s maiden win but he seems held by Red Barrel on their first meeting.

The maestro Mike De Kock is well represented again in this year’s race. Red Barrel, formerly named Ararat, won very well on debut and was not hard pressed to win his race at the Vaal over 1200 metres. He has a lot of scope and the form behind him is working out well. Frontino Gold continues to get better with each and every run and may prove to be the one to beat on the 5^th November.

Port Elizabeth trainer Yvette Bremner has Blaze of Fire, a son of Victory Moon entered. He ran fifth in last weekend’s Racing Association Stakes at Fairview and was well beaten by Changingoftheguard. Cape Town’s hopes rest with Admiral John Peter, co-owned by Klawervlei Stud’s Grant Knowles and Markus Jooste whilst Kwazulu-Natal’s chief hope may well be Penhaligon from the Alyson Wright yard. The son of Daylami won his maiden in facile fashion over 1800 metres by 3.25 lengths. It is all in the melting pot with horses clambering to qualify for the big prize on offer. Whatever transpires, the final field will be made up of horses to follow for the rest of the season.

Photo: Frontino Gold is an early Emperors Cup fancy.

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