Princess Royal looks best at Fairview
In 2011 trainer Joey Soma won the Listed Drum Star Handicap over 1800m on the Turffontein inside track with Happy Landing who then went on to capture the Grade 1 President’s Champions Challenge six weeks later – all in the colours of Markus Jooste.
Picture: AFP.
No doubt Soma will be hoping Rushmore River will be able to achieve the same double, this time in the familiar green, yellow and black colours of Jooste and wife Ingrid. While Happy Landing went off at 14-1 to win the Drum Star, Rushmore River has been installed as the 7-2 second favourite behind Bouclette Top (3-1). While Alec LaIrd’s charge is suspect over this distance, Rushmore River has a record of one win, two seconds and two thirds in seven starts over 1800m.
He also has the benefit of a light weight of just 53kg and Anthony Delpech in the irons, who is a master at using that weight advantage to his benefit. A No 5 draw will ensure he can get Rushmore River well placed after the start and be in a position to lead, as Anton Marcus did last time when the son of Windrush outstayed Tiger’s Retreat.
Sean Tarry’s charge is also in the field and they meet this time on the identical weight differential. That should make it difficult for jockey Raymond Danielson to reverse the 1.75-length beating but the six-year-old should be in the top three.
Brooks-Club does not have the best of draws but he is consistent and could be a Quartet contender.
