Glen Kotzen should be the leader of the pack
New look Matador Man could be the main danger.
READY TO WIN. Pack Leader has been declared t and well for tomorrow’s Grade 2 World Sports Be ing 1900 at Greyville by trainer Glen Kotzen and looks the runner they will all have to beat.
Trainer Glen Kotzen has big plans for Pack Leader this winter and it could all start with a win in tomorrow’s R500,000 Grade 2 World Sports Be ing 1900 at Greyville.
While perhaps not rated as highly by the stable as Investec Derby winner Eyes Wide Open, this three-year-old colt has done his stable proud so far despite being a victim of some wide draws in some of the feature races.
Although just a two-time winner he placed third in the R2.5- million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes and third in the Investec Derby. He has only had one run since returning from a break after the Derby and against all odds – “we rated him only about 60% t,” said Kotzen – Pack Leader was touched off a short head by Head Honcho in the Listed The Sledgehammer over 1800m at this course on 22 April.
“There is enough time between these two races for him not to be affected by the second-run-after- a-layoff syndrome,” said Kotzen. “He has come on a helluva lot since then and he’s definitely working like a winner.”
A win in this event would surely book him a place in the R4.5- million Vodacom Durban July on Saturday 7 July.
He will be ridden by regular jockey Richard Fourie.
His main danger looks to be Matador Man, who seems to be slowly recovering from his nasty habit of giving away huge chucks of ground at the start.
The reason for this could well be Tarry’s decision to run him in blinkers.
In his last outing, the gelding only gave away around 0.50 lengths and it told. He flew up late to get the better of Glider Pilot and won going away from his opposition.
Also in his favour is that he has a very good record at Greyville. He has raced at the course three times for a win and a third place. The latter was in last year’s Grade 1 Champions Cup over 1800m behind Sail South.
Apprentice Lyle Hewitson, who is heading inexorably towards the South African Jockey’s title this season, rides Matador Man.
It’s My Turn is another Grade 1 champion, having won the Investec Derby in 2016.
He moved to trainer Dean Kannemeyer early in the 2018 season and will be having his third run for the stable.
This five-year-old son of Dynasty ran a great race last time, finishing a 0.40-length third behind Social Order over 1600m at this course.
