WSB Summer Cup Field Analysis

The Punter analyses the World Sports Betting Summer Cup Final field 2020. Read on for an overview of each of the 20 Carded Runners, and remember to secure your WSB Summer Cup Tips 2020!

The Grade 1 WSB Summer Cup 2020 runs on Saturday, 28 November. All looks set for a really exciting race. Having a punt this Weekend? The Punter’s HUGE Black Friday Tips Specials are available until 11am on Saturday only.

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In this blog, I’ll be analysing the WSB Summer Cup field horse by horse. Take a look at the full Final Field 2020 below (NOTE: we now know the jockeys for 19 of the runners, read on for more details):

1. Tierra Del Fuego

The highest rated horse in the race at MR120, and carrying top weight of 60kgs. Is one of five runners for the powerful Sean Tarry stable, who won this race in 2019.

Top jock Gavin Lerena rides again from a wide draw of 14, having partnered this horse for two Grade 1 places behind Hawaam in the Horse Chestnut Stakes (1600m) and Premier’s Champions Challenge (2000m) back in June.

Is yet to win at Graded level, or over further than 1600m, but has fought out the placings. The stable comment is “hasn’t threatened to win a Grade 1 at this stage, but he has definitely got it in him”.

2. Zillzaal

Last year’s Summer Cup winner, Zillzaal, had a top comeback run last time out when a 1.95 lengths off 5th in the Grade 2 Charity Mile. That was impressive having been off for 11 months prior due to colic surgery.

Won this race from the 52kg mark as a 4 year old, and returns with top weight of 60kgs this year with rising star Luke Ferraris aboard.

The stable says they’ve been a bit behind in prepping this horse, but they seem to have done a decent enough job judging by its latest effort.

3. Summer Pudding

Champion filly Summer Pudding is unbeaten from 8 starts, with a Triple Tiara and Grade 1 Woolavington to her name.

Bids for more Grade 1 glory, this time in a handicap against the boys, with 59kg to carry from a wide draw of 18.

Top jock Warren Kennedy is up again for the Paul Peter stable and top connections. Is a special filly and would enter the history books if winning again here.

The Peter stable sends out a trio of runners in this race and doesn’t think the filly will have a problem with the colts, labelling her a “tough cookie”, and adding that she will be “spot on” this summer.

4. Divine Odyssey

Divine Odyssey is a Grade 2 winner over the 2000m, and managed a Grade 3 Jubilee Handicap victory in the winter to sneak a Durban July berth where he finished a 3.45 lengths 7th behind Belgarion.

Finished a 5.75 lengths off 12th in last year’s Summer Cup from the 52.5kg mark.

Has had the two prep runs back, finishing 4.5 lengths behind Astrix last time. Is a capable older horse carrying 58.5kgs from a fair draw of 8, albeit potentially past his best at 6 years old.

5. Riverstown

The second of three Paul Peter runners we’ll be discussing. Riverstown is a WSB Grand Heritage winner over 1475m, but is yet to win over further or at Graded level.

Was 4th in the Grade 2 Joburg Spring Challenge over the 1450 earlier in October. Has been quite a consistent earner over the middle distances. The stable says they are taking their chances and think it will get the 2000m.

Is fully fit, carries 58kg and Donovan Dillon rides for top connections from a wide draw of 19, with Pierre Strydom moving over to stable companion Astrix.

6. Atyaab

Atyaab was a Grade 1 Investec Derby winner over 2000m as a 3 year old when stabled with Mike De Kock. Also managed a 5th in last year’s Summer Cup when 2.25 lengths off from the 52kg mark.

Is now a 6 year old set to do the business in PE for up and coming trainer Zietsman Oosthuizen and regular pilot Louis Mxothwa.

Carries 57.5kg from a wide draw of 15 and comes into the WSB Summer Cup without a prep, having last raced in February. Last won at Listed level over the 2400m at Turffontein in November of 2019.

7. Crown Towers

Crown Towers for the raiding Justin Snaith stable is a two-time Listed Race winner, with a Grade 2 placed 4th behind Belgarion in the WSB 1900 at Greyville in the winter.

Finished a 3.5 length off 7th in the Charity Mile last time when having its Highveld prep run. Stable jock Richard Fourie rides the 5 year old carrying 57.5kgs from a 9 draw.

The stable says they have never doubted this horse would get the Summer Cup distance. Also that he “deserves his place” in what “does not look to be one of the stronger [Summer Cup] fields” in their estimation.

8. Running Brave

Running Brave is a capable 5 year old broodmare that is a 2-time Grade 2 winner over the 2000m with back to back Gold Bracelet victories in 2019 and 2020.

Also won the KZN Breeders Mile in July when beating decent sorts over 1600m. There were some boys in the field that day, but has generally run its best races in fillies and mares company.

Certainly is capable, with the shrewdy Matchett stable engaging top jock Muzi Yeni to ride again after being aboard for both Champions Season successes. Jumps from draw 10, with 57kg to carry. Has just had the one prep run, a low key 6 lengths off in a Pinnacle Stakes.

9. Tristful

KZN-based Tony Rivalland has a tilt at the Summer Cup with Tristful for main stable patron Mary Liley.

Ran a decent 2nd in the Garde 2 WSB 1900 when 3 lengths behind eventual Durban July winner Belgarion. Also recorded a close up 2nd in the Grade 3 July Consolation race. Managed a 1.75 lengths 5th behind the best of them in the Grade 1 Champions Cup at weight-for-age conditions.

Didn’t show much in its only prep run since then, when unsighted in the Charity Mile recently, leaving few clues as to actual fitness and soundness. But was competitive in the winter and the stable is doing the effort to raid.

Seasoned highveld jock Marco van Rensburg rides from a plum draw of 1, with a middle of the road 56kg to carry.

10. Youcanthurrylove

Youcanthurrylove ran a close 3rd in the Grade 2 Charity Mile having its 3rd run after a rest last time. Previously went close to July-placed GottheGreenlight in the Grade 1 SA Classic over 1800m as a 3 year old back in March.

Didn’t have a busy winter schedule, so should be both fit and fresh for the WSB Summer Cup. Has won well enough up to 1800 so no reason why it won’t get the distance.

The small Fabian Habib yard should be trying hard for punting connections. This horse has seemed to reserve its best for the big days, albeit a bit inconsistent otherwise.

Experienced jock Chase Maujean rides again having partnered well enough last time. Carries 55.5kg from an inside draw of 5.

11. Charles

Charles is champion trainer Mike De Kock‘s only runner in this race, with stable jock Callan Murray riding. De Kock hasn’t won the Summer Cup in 10 years, but previously dominated this race with 6 winners in the space of 11 years.

Ran 2nd in the Grade 1 Cape Derby as a 3 year old in 2019 when still with the Brett Crawford stable, interestingly beaten by the De Kock-trained Atyaab at level weights.

Is having its 3rd run for the De Kock stable having been sent up to the highveld for a WSB Summer Cup bid, with 55kg to carry from an 11 draw.

Didn’t show much in its 4 year old season and didn’t make the trip to raid KZN this year. Returned to form last time when a close up 2nd in the Charity Mile. Has its peak run now over the 2000m as a 5 year old in search of its first Grade 1 victory.

12. Hero’s Honour

Six year old gelding Hero’s Honour won the Grade 1 SA Derby as a 3 year old, but hasn’t been able to reach those heights since.

Ran into the quartet when 9.5 lengths off Hawaam in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Challenge earlier this year over 2000m.

Capable jock Craig Zackey rides for a second time from a weight of 55kg and a wide draw of 16.

13. Astrix

Astrix is the third of 3 Paul Peter trained runners we’re discussing. Old hand Pierre Strydom aboard from an inside draw of 3 with 54.5kgs to carry.

Is yet to win at Graded level, but is fully fit and was 2 lengths off in the Grade 2 Charity Mile and Grade 3 Victory Moon in recent starts.

Has only won up to 1600m to date, but should get the 2000m judging by the breeding and effort over 1800 last time when 2nd giving 3kgs to Christopher Robin. The stable also indicates that Warren Kennedy’s feedback post the Charity Mile run is that this horse will get the distance.

14. Pack Leader

The ex-Glen Kotzen trained Pack Leader has a tilt at the Summer Cup after some low-key efforts in the KZN Champions Season, with a 5th in the WSB 1900 and 4th in the Grade 3 Cup Trial being the highlights.

Is yet to win a Grade 1 at 6 years old, with current Trainer Alec Laird on record saying this horse would “need to run the race of his life” to win the Summer Cup.

Has an inside draw of 4, a weight of 54.5kg and top jock S’manga Khumalo up. Has had two prep runs on the Highveld, winning a Progress Plate by 4 lengths last time against weaker opposition.

15. Christopher Robin

Christopher Robin has been a consistent earner for the St John Gray stable, who aim a lightly-weighted coupling at this race.

Won its first Graded level race last time, with a 2.5 length victory over Astrix in the Grade 3 Victory Moon. Has won at Listed and NBT level prior to that.

Up and coming jock Denis Schwarz rides from a galloping weight of 54kg, with regular pilot S’Manga Khumalo carded to ride Pack Leader. Will have no trouble with the distance having won up to 2000m.

16. Tree Tumbo

Tree Tumbo is a two-time winner that is yet to win a Graded race, although did place in the Grade 2 Charity Mile last time. Carries 54kg from a fair draw of 7 as one of five Sean Tarry trained runners in this race. This one is partnered by Calvin Habib.

The stable says this one “flopped” in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 as a 3 year old, but was shown to have an absis post-race.

Tarry is generally happy with the form otherwise, but notes the horse “has wracked up penalties” and that he would’ve liked to have qualified him at bottom weight. Being out of Silvano they are hopeful he’ll get the trip.

17. Victoria Paige

Four year-old filly Victoria Paige takes on the boys here from bottom weight of 52kg. Has previously met Summer Pudding at level weights in the Grade 1 Woolavington over 2000m when a 2.6 lengths off 4th.

Hasn’t won at Graded level, but has earned in the Fillies Guineas. Drawn widest at 20 with KZN-based jock Serino Moodley aboard.

The stable regards this as an “interesting” runner that should get the 2000m. Tarry says the filly is “workman-like and not too exciting” but that she is “fit for the first time in a long time” and will be “cherry ripe” after placing 3rd in the Grade 3 Victory Moon last time.

18. Seven Patriots

Trainer Mike Azzie sends out his only WSB Summer Cup runner in the form of bottom-weighted Seven Patriots, with regular pilot Jason Gates riding.

Career highlights to date include a NBT win by 2 lengths in the Egoli Mile as a 3 year old, and a 4 length win in a MR104 field that included Christopher Robin. That form was however decisively reversed in the Grade 3 Victory Moon last time.

Won’t have a trouble with the distance, but does step up in class here. Will be tested albeit with the help of just 52kgs.

19. Cornish Pomodoro

The final of five Sean Tarry trained runners we’re discussing. Mission accomplished in terms of qualifying this one at the bottom weight of 52kg. That’s how the stable won this race last season with Zillzaal. Could be ahead of the handicapper given the low-key qualification route taken.

Top jock Lyle Hewitson rides from Draw 12 for main stable patron Chris van Niekerk, who also owned this horse’s Stallion, Pomodoro.

The stable says he is “doing very well and crying for the 2000m”. Has had the two preps, one being a 4 length Graduation Plate win, followed by a 3.6 length 8th in the Charity Mile second run after a rest, with its peak run to come.

Lightly raced in its career to date. No big race form to go on besides a 5th in the Grade 1 SA Derby over 2450m when coming back from a rest. One is left then to mainly trust the stable’s plan for this horse.

20. Dance Class

Dance Class is part of a St John Gray owned, trained and bred coupling in this race. A four year old filly that put in a scintillating run of handicap and plate race form to climb the merit rating rankings, with 6 straight wins.

Still no jockey confirmed at the time of writing. Gets bottom weight but is the lowest rated horse in this field at MR98. Takes on the boys from Draw 13, albeit over a comfortable distance.

Was a 3.85 lengths 4th in the Victory Moon over 1800m last time when behind stable companion Christopher Robin, and they’ll meet again on Saturday at the same weight conditions over 200m further.

WSB Summer Cup Tips 2020

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