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HORSES imported from Zimbabwe won two of the main feature races at Greyville on Vodacom Durban July Day and trainer Des Egdes, whose stayer Ship's Gossip was the talking point of the track after winning the R200 000 Supersport Gold Vase, is hoping the gelding can complete the "Golden Double" by winning the Gold Cup at Greyville on Saturday. Ship's Gossip was up with the pace turning for home in the Topsport Gold Vase over 3 000 metres and kicked on strongly under apprentice Nathan Danster to win by nearly two lengths from Northern Land and Top Billing. On Saturday the gelding lines up with 19 other stayers in the R500 000 Grade 1 Gold Cup and, with the weights a little more compact even though Ship's Gossip again only carries 50kg, his task is certainly going to be a lot more difficult. Trainer Des Egdes said today (Tuesday), however, that the six-year-old - as he will be on Saturday - is as fit "if not even a little fitter" than he was in that last race and he was expecting another honest race from him. "It certainly won't be a walk-over but if we get the luck in running, which you need in the early stages to get a good position, we have a chance. "The weights are more compact and it is a competitive field but he is fit and well. He is drawn towards the outside as he was in the Gold Vase but there is an extra 200 metres in which to position him as long as he is not pushed too hard to do so. "He showed no signs of stopping in the Gold Vase so I don't think the extra 200 metres will trouble him." Trainer Egdes is aware that horses like Darrelhair, Son Of Respect, Lunch Club and Go For Scotch are a lot closer to his runner in the weights on Saturday and knows that Ship's Gossip has a tougher task ahead of him. But he still feels Ship's Gossip, bred in Zimbabwe, has what it takes and could pull off the "Golden Double" by winning Saturday's Gold Cup and keep the Zimbabwean flag flying proudly south of the Limpopo. |