Piere to ice opposition
Across The Ice comes off an excellent performance in the R1-million Emerald Cup over 1450m the Vaal sand.
Across The Ice is at his best when running over 1200m on the Vaal sand and should be back in the winner’s box today after the running of Race 2 over the course and distance.
The Sean Tarry-trained runner finished fourth, beaten six lengths by Tommy Gun, but considering he had to overcome a wide No 12 draw, did well to run where he did.
In the past the eight-year-old gelding has often failed to even place over that distance but jockey Raymond Danielson said after the race Across The Ice did not want to gallop early on but eventually took off. He was one of the fastest finishing runners in the Cup.
Tomorrow in Race 2 at the Vaal he returns to run in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1200m on the sand and despite his age, the full brother to Capetown Noir will take some beating.
Firstly, he is the best weighted runner and secondly the opposition is not particularly strong. He is also reunited with jockey Piere Strydom who has ridden him to victory in most of his 11 victories.
Of those, eight have been over 1200m and six over this course and distance.
Trainer Ormond Ferraris went through a poor patch early in the season but the yard is coming back to form. He saddles Captain Haddock who could have the opposite problem to Across The Ice in that he would prefer the race to be run over 1450m.
His last two starts have been over that distance at this course but although he failed to win, the six-year-old son of Spectrum did show a lot of pace in both of his races on the sand.
After finishing a 2.50-length second behind Panjo in his first start, Captain Haddock faded badly at the end of his last race, trailing in 16.25 lengths behind Shadow Line.
He is better than that and with apprentice Collen Storey claiming 1.5kg, Captain Haddock comes in with just 52.5 on his back.
Sugar And Shake is unbeaten in both of his starts over the course and distance and in July he beat Across The Ice by 1.75 lengths. However, he is now 3kg worse off and that should be enough for Tarry’s charge to reverse the placings.
Stavinsky can be a dangerous runner when in the mood but one is not sure when that will happen.
Pinot Noir, who has his problems, looks the best of the rest.
