Rampant Ice for Victory Moon and SA to close out Challenge

The Grade 2 Victory Moon Stakes is often used as a last-gasp attempt to get horses top qualify for the SANSUI Summer Cup at the end of the month.

The race always entices a big field and is usually exceptionally competitive. This year is no exception but there is R400,000 at stake and a victory in this 1800m event at Turffontein today will look good on any horse’s CV.

Topping the weights is last year’s winner Judicial, however, trainer Tyrone Zackey was indubitably one of the people who was praying for rain this week. His charge won in soft going last year and then did well to finish a three-length third to Louis The King in the Summer Cup.

Disco Al looked a strong contender to win this event after his one-length third behind St Tropez over 1800m on the Inside track. However, he was withdrawn yesterday which means second reserve Platinum Jet comes into this race and is out of Race 3.

So we will go for an outsider in Rampant Ice who is at 14-1. He got way out his ground in the Charity Mile but ran on late. He will prefer the extra 200m and Weiho Marwing has engaged brother Weichong for the ride.

Heavy Metal has had two excellent warm-up runs and must be considered from No 1 draw with S’manga Khumalo up.

The South African team go into the second leg of the International Jockeys’ Challenge with a 17-point lead over their international counterparts but that gap could be closed very quickly if the visitors score an early win.

However, the South Africans looks to have a clear advantage at Turffontein today and newcomer Cheyne looks the man to follow. He should win the first leg aboard Virtuality and could strike in Leg 3 aboard Cassie O’Malley. Delpech could assist the SA team’s cause aboard Majestic Bay in Leg 2 and team captain Lerena could have the best ride of the event in Race 9 – Leg 4 – where he is aboard the lightly raced Polly Wolly Doodle.