TYSON - The
four-year-old gelding Tyson, suffering defeat in all six of his
bouts since his sensational win in the Gommagomma Summer Cup
last year, will step into the ring at Greyville Racecourse on
Saturday in the peak of condition and ready to deliver the
knockout blow in the Vodacom Durban July.
A
very confident Stuart Pettigrew said from his Gauteng base
yesterday (Monday) that Tyson is supremely fit and will run a
big race in the R2-million Grade 1 event over the tough 2 200
metres at Greyville.
He
admitted that the gelding’s form since the Gommagomma Summer
Cup was “not up to scratch”, but “he’s ready” and will
be a force to reckon with on Saturday.
He
had not found any reason for the gelding’s disappointing races
since his brilliant performance at Turffontein but one thing the
public can be sure of, his run in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup at
Greyville recently should be ignored.
“I
was very happy with the run. He was only 60% fit that day and
the plan was to take him to Durban, show him the course and take
him home again. He did just that and was one of the fastest
finishing horses in the race.”
He
disagreed with those who said Tyson was badly handicapped in the
Vodacom Durban July. “As far as I am concerned he is the
best-handicapped horse in the race.
“He
finished just 3.6 lengths behind Winter Solstice in the J&B
Met and we meet Winter Solstice on 5kg better terms. If you give
Winter Solstice a chance we have a big chance as well.”
Pettigrew
said he was not concerned about the pace and Tyson’s ability
to do well at Greyville with its short run-in.
“I
have won a lot of races at Greyville. In the July the pace is
turned on from about the 1 000 metre mark and I have no doubt
that Tyson will handle the course well enough.”
Tyson
will have his final work on Thursday and will leave for
Durban
on Friday morning, travelling through the day to reach
Durban
on Friday afternoon.
“I
am very relaxed and will go to
Durban
confident of a big, big run from Tyson on Saturday.”
The
favourite for the R2-million Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July,
Rabiya, is fit and well and ready for the big clash over 2 200
metres at Greyville Racecourse in
Durban
on Saturday.
Trainer
Dean Kannemeyer said early today that the three-year-old Jallad
colt had come through his official gallop last week in top
condition and would have his final workout on Thursday.
Jockey
Robbie Fradd, who will ride him in Africa’s Greatest
Horseracing Event and won the race on Dynasty for the stable two
years ago, arrived in
Durban
from
Hong Kong
yesterday (Monday) morning and would be in the saddle for the
completion of the colt’s preparation for the race.
Kannemeyer
said the colt had worked well in a good gallop from the 1 400
metre mark on Monday.
“He
never over extends himself at home but I am very happy with
him.”