2023 Betway Summer Cup – Everything You Need to Know

PUERTO MANZANO was given a peach of a ride when winning the Grade 2 Allied Steelrode – Onamission Charity Mile. He has had the perfect preparation heading into this race and will be at peak fitness. Seven of his ten career victories have come on this course including winning this race last year. He is likely to be settled near the rear of the field from his wide draw and will be mowing down the frontrunners.

BLESS MY STARS was doing her best work late when third behind the top choice last time. She would have come on from the run. She has won once and finished second once from as many starts over this distance. She is 1kg better off at the weights with the top choice on her last run and should give the males a run for their money.

COUSIN CASEY ran a good race when second in his first run for the Sean Tarry stable. He will strip much fitter and with a bit of luck from barrier 12, he should be competitive.

WINCHESTER MANSION produced a good season debut in the race referred to above. He will love the rise to 2000m and should strip fitter. He will be running on and merits healthy respect.

The first juvenile race of the season is upon us and the betting market will be the best guide with regards to this contest. ALMOND SEA is a daughter of Canford Cliffs from the Tony Peter stable with Calvin Habib in the saddle. She is related to multiple winners including Sarah and Celtic Rumours. If not too green, she should start her career on a positive note.

PROCEED hails from the Sean Tarry stable and he is a son of Gimmethegreenlight. Richard Fourie is booked to ride and if not in need of the run, he should pose a threat.

FORCE EIGHT is a daughter of Gimmethegreenlight from the Paul Matchett stable with Philasande Mxoli in the saddle. She is related to multiple winners Track Commander and Arverni King. She may start her career on a positive note if not too green.

EACE OF MIND is a daughter of Var from the Fabian Habib stable with S’manga Khumalo in the saddle. She is related to eight-time winner Euphoric. If not in need of the run, she should give a good account of herself.

DUAL PROPHECY produced a promising debut effort over this C&D. He understandably raced green, but the manner in which he finished off his race was eye-catching. The son of Twice Over found betting support that day which suggests that he was showing good work at home. He would have come on from the run and with the natural improvement that is expected, he should be the one to beat.

MID WINTER WIND finished 0.75 lengths behind the top choice on debut. The well-bred son of What A Winter would have come on from the outing and if getting away to a clean start, he should run a big race.

VIRGIN RIVER produced a good comeback run when second over this C&D. She showed good speed, but was outrun late. She would have come on from the run and should give the males a run for their money.

GOLD AGENT has shown good improvement in each of her races to date. She was caught late by Women Of Fame in her last start over this C&D. The daughter of Gold Standard is a progressive type and can go one better.

PYROMANIAC lost a length leaving the start last time, but stayed on well to finish third. He would have come on from the run and will strip much fitter. Richard Fourie is booked to ride and if getting away on terms, he can return to winning ways.

STREET ART finished 1.25 lengths behind PERFECT WITNESS last time. He is 4.5kgs better off at the weights today and that should be enough for the tables to be turned. He will be cherry-ripe and is one of the leading contenders.

PERFECT WITNESS is a winner of her last two starts under Diego De Gouveia. She has won once and finished second once from as many starts over this C&D. She carries a handy galloping mass of 54.5kgs and can notch up the hat-trick.

CRIMSON KING is better than his last start in the Grade 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. He will strip much fitter and if repeating his penultimate run, he should have a say in the outcome of this contest.

MAIN DEFENDER was given a peach of a ride when winning the Grade 3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes last time. The drop to 1160m should not pose an issue as he is versatile and won on debut over 1100m. The son of Pathfork has plenty of class and he should be the one to beat in this line-up.

DYCE is a winner of his last two starts, the latest of which was in the Listed Golden Loom Handicap. The 5-year-old horse is at his best over sprinting and should the top choice fluff his lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces.

CAPTAIN HINDSIGHT finished 2 lengths behind the second choice last time. He is 3kgs better off at the weights today which is enough for the tables to be turned. However, DYCE won easier than the official margin suggests and may still have the upper hand.

GLADATORIAN was running on when second over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville last time. He would have come on from the run and should strip much fitter. On his best form shown, he should be involved in the fight to the finish.

GIMME A NOTHER is unbeaten from two starts to date. She raced from a handy position over this C&D last time, found a good kick and drew off in the latter stages. The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight faces her toughest test to date, but she looks to have plenty of class. She is the stable elect with JP van der Merwe in the saddle and from her good draw of four, she can remain unbeaten.

EGYPTIAN MAU won a good race in the Grade 3 HSH Princess Charlene Starling Stakes last time. She would have come on from the run. Her wide draw of 13 is an obvious concern, but Craig Zackey knows her well and he will give her all the necessary assistance from the saddle.

WHITE PEARL finished 0.4 lengths behind the second choice last time. She is 1kg better off at the weights today. She tries the mile and if Piere Strydom is able to switch her off early, she should be competitive.

BETULA stayed on when third over 1450m on the Inside course last time. She would have come on from the run. She runs her best races under Diego De Gouveia and from her good draw of three, she cannot be ignored.

SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT should have won his last start in the Grade 3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes. He moved up well, hit the front but Main Defender fought back well. He won a good race in the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes over this distance in his penultimate start. The son of Gimmethegreenlight would have come on since his last outing and if ridden with a bit more restraint, he should take a power of beating. PURPLE PITCHER is a winner of his last four starts. He set the pace over 1800m on this course last time and found extra where it matters most. This is his toughest test to date, but he has class and should pose a threat. GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE finished 3.2 lengths behind the top choice last time. He is 3kgs worse off at the weights today and may battle to turn the form around. He tries the mile for the first time which should suit him well. GUY GIBSON finished 3.4 lengths behind the second choice last time. The pair meet on the same weight terms today and he may have to settle for the same result. His only victory came under Raymond Danielson and he may cause the upset.

NEBRAAS has shown signs of needing his last two starts, the latest of which was in the Grade 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. He has won twice and finished third once from five starts over this distance. His last victory came under Richard Fourie and if putting his best foot forward, he should return to winning ways.

BLACK THORN stayed on when second over 2400m in the Listed Allied Steelrode Java Stakes. He finished second in his only attempt over this C&D. He is having his peak run today and is one of the leading contenders.

FLYING BULL set the pace over 2400m on the Vaal Classic course last time and kept finding all the way to the line. He tries the 3200m for the first time and if seeing out the extra distance on offer, he should run into the money.

ARUMUGAM finished 5.25 lengths behind the second selection last time. He is 4kgs better off at the weights today and should finish closer as a result. He has won once and finished second once from as many starts over this C&D. He carries a nice weight and should earn another cheque.

ALULA’S STAR has decent consistent form lines to her credit. She finished second in the Listed National Colour Stakes last time over 1000m on this course. She has won twice and finished second twice from six starts over this C&D. She will strip a much fitter horse today and can notch up her seventh-career victory. MRS BROWNING showed good speed over this C&D last time, but was outrun late. It must be noted that William Robertson has come out and won again since. Should the top choice fluff her lines, she may be the one to pick up the pieces. ICE STAR finished 0.25 lengths behind the top choice last time. She is 1kg worse off at the weights today and may have to settle for the same result. She finished third in her only attempt over this C&D. FLOWERBOMB finished 0.05 lengths behind the second selection in the race referred to above. She is 1.5kgs worse off at the weights today and may battle to turn the form around. She is having her second run after a rest and should strip much fitter.

WEATHER WIZARD was super-impressive when winning his maiden at the second time of asking. He raced from a prominent position, found a good kick and won with a ton in hand. The son of Rafeef should have no issues with the rise to 1800m. He takes on stronger, but carries a handy galloping mass of 52.5kgs and should be up to the task at hand. He has plenty of scope and looks to be above average.

TROIS TROIS QUATRE is better than his last start in the Listed Allied Steelrode Java Stakes. It must be noted that the horse that finished third that day has come out and won since. His last victory came over this distance. He drops in class and merits healthy respect.

SCARLETT PIMPERNEL raced from a handy position over 2000m last time and kept going to hold all challengers at bay. He meets similar company this afternoon and can follow up.

AMERICAN STAR lost a length leaving the start last time, but stayed on to finish third. Both his career victories have come over this distance. He jumps from a good draw of four and it is encouraging that Richard Fourie keeps faith in the ride.