The Champions Season continues in KZN with the running of the 2017 Mercury Sprint.
Greyville will continue to treat horse racing punters to some great action as the course plays host to yet another Grade 1 event in the form of the 2017 Mercury Sprint. The Tarry yard’s TRIP TO HEAVEN (33/10) and BULL VALLEY (4/1) currently lead the betting with Coenie de Beer’s TALKTOTHESTARS closely behind.
Mercury Sprint
| No | Dr | Horse | Odds* | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | (7) | Trip To Heaven | 28/10 F | S Khumalo | Sean Tarry |
| 2 | (2) | Bull Valley | 4/1 | K Zechner | Sean Tarry |
| 3 | (13) | Talktothestars | 7/1 | B Fayd’Herbe | Coenie de Beer |
| 4 | (12) | Brutal Force | 25/2 | A Marcus | Joey Ramsden |
| 5 | (14) | Search Party | 7/1 | C Orffer | Brett Crawford |
| 6 | (4) | London Call | 25/2 | K de Melo | Mark Dixon |
| 7 | (15) | Champagne Haze | 14/1 | *L Hewitson | Gary Alexander |
| 8 | (6) | New Predator (AUS) | 10/1 | G Lerena | J Janse van Vuuren |
| 9 | (11) | Kangaroo Jack | 10/1 | C Zackey | Gary Alexander |
| 10 | (8) | Victorious Jay | 25/1 | M Byleveld | Vaughan Marshall |
| 11 | (9) | Gulf Storm | 25/1 | S Veale | Brett Crawford |
| 12 | (3) | Sergeant Hardy | 16/1 | R Fourie | Justin Snaith |
| 13 | (10) | Attenborough | 14/1 | S Randolph | Joey Ramsden |
| 14 | (5) | Rivarine | 16/1 | A Delpech | Mike Azzie |
| 15 | (1) | Captain’s Causeway | RR | Reserve 1 | Sean Tarry |
Betting correct as of: Friday 14 July 10:03.
Betting is subject to change. E&OE.
eMeM’s Comments For The Mecury Sprint
KANGAROO JACK returns to his happy hunting ground and could have a major say at the highest level today. The Gauteng visitor has a great turn of foot and is fondly remembered for his thrashing of a Grade 2 field over this c & d last season. The Querari gelding had a soft prep outing in his comeback attempt and could prove more effective than his stablemate CHAMPAGNE HAZE who produced a forward display in that last five furlong effort. The latter has drawn badly and could have his work cut-out for him to confirm that last run. The brilliant TRIP TO HEAVEN once again settled for 2nd in the Gold Challenge over a mile recently but he ran on strongly after being his customary slow starting self. Of course that formline was heavily boosted when the 3rd placed entrant Bela-bela captured a Grade 1 on ‘July Day’. This versatile Trippi gelding fared badly in this contest a year ago but has been in excellent form since and must be respected. NEW PREDATOR has loads of talent and reverting to sprints, coupled with blinkers makes him a lively candidate here. The pick of the three-year olds are RIVARINE and SERGEANT HARDY, with a slight preference for the former who is the yard’s only runner today.
