Ennion’s charge a wonderful bet
It does not happen very often but there are occasions when a runner raids Port Elizabeth who looks an absolute standout bet.
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That looks to be the case with Eighth Wonder who travels from the Western Cape to contest the Listed East Cape Guineas over 1600m on the Fairview turf track today. Sometimes a horse might not travel well or is at all at sea on a strange track but Eighth Wonder has run against, and in some cases beaten, the best three-year-olds in the country and looks to be a cut above any other runner in this field.
This son of Captain Al ran in the Grade 3 Cape Classic over 1400m at Kenilworth, but as he was drawn No 13 went off at 20-1. In an amazing run Eighth Wonder got well placed early on and then ran away from the opposition to beat Rodney by 2.25 lengths.
He was beaten just 2.50 lengths in the Grade 2 Selangor Cup, but in the two Grade 1 races – the Grand Parade Cape Guineas and Investec Derby – he landed up with shocking draws. In the Derby he did well to finish just 3.90 lengths off winner It’s My Turn. He won his next start over 1600m at Kenilworth and with Raymond Danielson in the irons he looks in a different league to his opposition.
He as a merit rating of 96 with local hopeful Fly Like The Wind next best at 91.
