THE R1 million Ladbrokes Gold Cup, headline race for Champions Day on Saturday July 28, drew an initial entry of 27 that included a mix of proven stayers and others out to make their mark.

Last year’s winner Aslan heads the entry along with seasoned stayers Ilsanpietro (photo below), Gorongosa, Blake and In Writing.

Recent Mango Gold Vase winner Seal heads the younger brigade that also includes Vettel, Sage Throne, Princess Of Light and Kolkata.

Former SA Derby winner Seal, campaigned over shorter trips since his Derby victory, came into his own over the 3000m of the Mango Gold Vase and won well beating other Ladbrokes Gold Cup entries In Writing and Kolkata while Ilsanpietro caught the eye when running into fourth.

Vettel, is already showing signs of turning into a top class stayer and kept plugging away to fill sixth place in the Vodacom Durban July and on that evidence looks tailor made for the Ladbrokes Gold Cup trip.

Sage Throne is another that will prefer the extra ground after finishing six lengths back to Pomodoro in the Vodacom Durban July.

Gorongosa had many supports in the Vodacom Durban July but she also found the trip too short and has built up an enviable record over marathon distances.

Blake finished a close-up second to Tribal Dance in the Schweppes 2200 subsequent to winning the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup from Sage Throne. This season’s J&B Reserve Stayers winner is in prime condition for a crack at the Ladbrokes Gold Cup.

The full list of entries as follows:

DR HORSE              A/S  WGT  M/R   TRAINER
18 ILSANPIETRO (BRZ)  (5G)  0.0 109 C Mike de Kock     �
21 SEAL               (4G)  0.0 109   Gavin van Zyl    �
20 TOP SELLER         (4C)  0.0 107 B Vaughan Marshall �
 5 SAGE THRONE        (4G)  0.0 105   Colin Scott      �
 7 VETTEL (ARG)       (3C)  0.0 105   Mike de Kock     �
 1 BLAKE              (5G)  0.0 104 B Dean Kannemeyer  �
13 IN WRITING (ARG)   (6G)  0.0 103   Dean Kannemeyer  �
 4 ASLAN              (6G)  0.0 102 B Sean Tarry       �
24 CAPTAIN’S WILD     (5G)  0.0 102   Mike de Kock     �
14 GORONGOSA (IRE)    (5M)  0.0 101 B Mike de Kock     �
11 PRINCESS OF LIGHT  (4F)  0.0 100   Geoff Woodruff   �
10 SOUL MASTER        (4G)  0.0 100   Geoff Woodruff   �
 3 CROC VALLEY        (5M)  0.0  98   Mike Bass        �
 2 HEYOUNEVERKNOW (BR (4F)  0.0  97   Corne Spies      �
26 SUN CITY           (7G)  0.0  95 C Corinne Bestel   �
 9 THANKS JOHN        (6G)  0.0  95 B Mike Bass        �
 6 KOLKATA            (4G)  0.0  94   Sean Tarry       �
27 PREDESTINATION (AU (6G)  0.0  94   Joey Ramsden     �
17 GOLDEN PARACHUTE ( (6G)  0.0  91 B Mike Bass        �
15 CAMPO DE SANTANA   (4G)  0.0  89   Corne Spies      �
23 FEEL MY LOVE (AUS) (4F)  0.0  89 C Greg Ennion      �
25 JEPPE’S REEF       (4G)  0.0  89 B Mike Bass        �
16 POSH BOY           (6G)  0.0  89   Corinne Bestel   �
19 KOMATIPOORT        (4G)  0.0  88 B Mike Bass        �
 8 STORM SAGAZ (ARG)  (5G)  0.0  88 B Yogas Govender   �
22 VENGENCE           (4G)  0.0  87 B Joey Ramsden     �
12 DOLOMITE           (5G)  0.0  82   Kumaran Naidoo   �
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