TOP PERFORMER. Judicial can further improve on his Sansui Summer Cup performance when he contests the Grade 3 London News Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein.
He last race in the London News Stakes over 1800m on the Turffontein inside track and was running on nicely at the end but with the short run-in, was unable to get to Killua Castle. Trainer Tyrone Zackey now tries his charge over 2400m in a Pinnacle on the Vaal turf tomorrow and looking at the opposition, if Judicial stays he will win. He has won over 2000m so it is just a question of whether he will go the extra 400m.
Having said that, Zackey has a knack of getting horses to stay and if he is putting the son of Miesque’s Approval over this distance, Judicial is likely to see it out. Under the race conditions he is well handicapped. Karl Zechner has developed a good relationship with this four-year-old and he is back on board again. Any rain will enhance Judicial’s chances as he has a good record in the wet.
The only other class horse in the event is S’il Vous Plait and he will see out the distance. The Ormond Ferraris and Weichong Marwing combination has become one of the most formidable in local racing if there are any chinks in Judicial’s armour, this combination will expose it.
Anybody who watched his victory on Alboran Sea at Kenilworth on Saturday will know Marwing is riding at the top of his game. S’il Vous Plait is the second best weighted runner and is only a 0.5kg out with Judicial so that brings him right into contention.
Akii Bua is the unknown factor in the race. He will also be trying the distance for the first time but based on the way his runs it will come as a surprise if he does not stay. The question is whether Mike de Kock’s charge has enough class to beat the likes of Judicial and S’il Vous Plait.
He ran with blinkers last time but that was over 1600m and they were probably trying to get him keener early on. The race was run in heavy rain and that does not suit too many horses so he did well to finish a four-length third behind The Captain’s Tune.
Raymond Danielson was the last jockey to win aboard the Australian-bred son of Encosta De Lago and that race was over 2000m at this track. With four winners under his belt at Turffontein last Saturday Danielson is another jockey in top form so Akii Bua deserves respect.