Expect a sprinted battle and a close finish to
this 20 runner handicap.
It is a strong field weighted with good chances
to a large number of the runners.
View "Best in on Ratings" and "Class Indicator" merit ratings and graphic.
We phoned David Ferraris to comment on his four with particular
reference to KEENELAND GOLD.
DAVID FERRARIS: "CLASSIC FLAG is the best horse I have ever
trained and he is at his peak. In a weight for age he would conceed
1,5 kg to the four-year-olds, so he meets FORT DEFIANCE
only 0,5 kg worse terms than WFA.
In The Champion Stakes over this track on 24 April,
FORT DEFIANCE
beat CLASSIC FLAG by 2 lengths when we were conceding him 3,5 kg.
However, Classic Flag was nowhere near his best that day.
I think we can turn the tables here."
CHAMPION STAKES 1999 photofinish."KEENELAND GOLD was 1,5 lengths behind FORT DEFIANCE in that race.
In the same race last year, The Premiers Cup, he ran exactly the same sort of
race to finish 0,75 lengths behind GOLDEN HOARD,
PREMIERS CUP 1998 photofinish.both times at level weights. He is a highly strung horse who does not travel well,
which explains why he likes this track which is right where he is stabled.
Keeneland Gold's current form does not inspire confidence and he is badly drawn.
However, he is weighted to finish right there, so punters should respect him".
"YOUNG RAKE meets Classic Flag on 3,5 kg better terms than WFA.
He is working like a bomb and is well drawn."
"NORFOLK REALM carries 0,5 kg less than him and is also well drawn, very fit and
dead game.
Punters must respect all four of my runners and consider them all for permutations.
My personal choice is Classic Flag from Young Rake, but this is a very open handicap."
Refer The Champion Stakes result
Refer The Champion Stakes Photofinish
FORT DEFIANCE's victory in this all-aged GR 1 on 24 April
over this Turffontein 2000 metres was the highpoint of his career
to date. He carried 54,5 kg in beating most of the best older horses
in the country, all of whom carried 58,0 kg. The WFA scale
was very harsh on him. He should have carried 53,0 kg which
underlines the value of that victory. We think he is potentially
a superhorse and believe that in 7 starts since that Champion Stakes
victory (with the exception of that great run under 58,0 kg in The Sharp Trial)
he has not run true to his best. A 4-y-o with 58,0 kg is in the
same position as a 5-y-o+ with 59,5 kg and he has a bad draw at 14.
The favourite has his back to the wall, but perhaps his liking for
Turffontein will see a welcome return to best.
EL PICHA (ARG) - Any horse that can run 5-wide
and still win the Rothmans July under 53,0 kg is truly top-class. He ran a big
trial in his comeback in the Premiers on 2 October.
(View Result) and must be forgiven a second-run layoff in the Elevation Stakes
(View Result).
58,0 kg from No 15 draw won't be an easy task, but expect him to be cherry ripe on the day.
INGLESIDE - has a 3,5 kg (5 length) pull with Classic Flag for 3,75 lengths in the Elevation Stakes,
and 2,5 kg (3,6 lengths) pull with FORT DEFIANCE for 2,5 lengths in that race.
ELEVATION STAKES 1999.This should be enough to turn the tables with both of them and he is well drawn.
Big runner.
BRUTAL FORCE (NZ) - 5 top-class performances at last 5 starts.
Big run at weights in Germiston.
November Consolation: Beaten 2 lengths (2 lb) by YOUNG RAKE at level weights when
3rd in Natal Derby. Has a bad draw, but a great jockey.
CHOLULA - A difficult mare to rate.
Has won 7 of 15 starts including 0,5 lengths 2nd to CIRCLE OF LIFE
at level weights in stakes over this course and distance in April.
CIRCLE OF LIFE - Game, consistent, bang on form. Tough task at weights,
but seems to be even better at 5 than she was last year.
KARAKA ONE (NZ) - Worst Draw, and not quite at best at last 2 starts.
However, place chance at best.
PLACE OF GOLD - Stays well, and will prefer this track to the easier
Germiston 2000 m over which Classic Flag beat him by 8 lengths last time.
Bad Draw. STAR DEFENCE (NZ) - Won the 2000 metre Allen Snijman in grand
style by 3,25 lengths exactly a year ago.
Ran a good prep over 1600 m at Greyville on 17 October and is well drawn.
CLASSIC FLAG - Class horse with top weight.
Has peaked at the right time. Will run a big race !
GOLD TAX - Top-class 3-y-o last season.
Faces big task from 19 draw.
DRUM STAR - Probably even better than we have rated him.
Won like world-beater under top weight over this Turffontein 2000m on 14 August.
We won't be surprised to see him repeat that victory.
ELEGANT AL - Top-class Turffontein (home track) specialist.
Bang on form.
NORFOLK REALM - a Leading 3-y-o last. Dead game. Bang on form.
PHILONIKON - has prepped well. Stays well.
Weighted with a chance.
TOLME - Top-class run in Natal Derby on 31 July.
Two excellent runs since. Must be respected with bottom weight.
CLIFTON KING (NZ) - a 4-y-o with 59,5 kg represents an older horse
with 61,0 kg. Could rate the best of his generation in the absence of
Horse Chestnut. We must respect his class despite a very difficult
task at the weights, particularly as he is bred to be better at 2000 m
than 1600 metres.
We still don't know just how good this 4-y-o gelding is !
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