Zeus ascends to the Summer Cup log

The victory of Zeus in the Java Handicap at Turffontein on Saturday has seen Fabian Habib’s talented stayer promoted into the latest Top 20 log for the Betway Summer Cup at the end of November.

“My big boy is back!” exclaimed Habib after the gelding completed a 5.25-length demolition of classy opposition in the 2400m Listed contest. The win completed a hat-trick and was the gelding’s eighth in 22 starts.

Early in his racing career, Zeus was something of a prodigy, apparently headed for the very top. But, as can happen with flesh and blood, he lost his way and struggled for a while.

“He’s got back his confidence,” revealed jockey Gavin Lerena in the post- race interview.

Zeus slots in at 18 in the Top 20, with an adjusted merit rating of 111, up from 103 before the Java.

Cousin Casey climbs

Another to advance on the log from Saturday’s action is Cousin Casey, who jumps four places from eighth to fourth following his second place in the headliner, the Grade 2 Charity Mile.

Cousin Casey recently moved to the Highveld from Cape Town and joined leading trainer Sean Tarry’s yard at Randjesfontein. He showed change was as good as a holiday in displaying something of his youthful good form.

Tarry’s excellent filly Bless My Stars climbs one place on the log, from fourth to third, after running third in the Charity Mile.

Charity Mile winner and defending Summer Cup champ Puerto Manzano cements his place at the top of the log, with his MR set to be nudged from 123 to 125.

Winchester Mansion, winner of the Hollywoodbets Durban July, remains at No 4 after a decent fourth place in the Charity Mile.

The notable faller on the log is Dave The King, Mike de Kock’s front-running colt whose heavy weight of 61.5kg saw him run out of puff and finish midfield in the Mile. He drops from third to sixth.

Top 20 (position, name, updated merit rating)

1 Puerto Manzano 125

2 Winchester Mansion 121

3 Bless My Stars 119

4 Cousin Casey 123

5 Anfields Rocket 120

6 Dave The King 124

7 Future Pearl 116

8 Safe Passage 117

9 Bingwa 118

10 Eye Of The Prophet 119

11 Second Base 117

12 Billy Bowlegs 117

13 Runaway Song 116

14 Son Of Raj 115

15 None Other 110

16 Nebraas 115

17 Aragosta 114

18 Zeus 111

19 Shoemaker 112

20 Meridius 110

Next in merit rating order

Hoedspruit 112

East Coast 110

Litigation 110

Union Square 110

Star Coin 108

Atticus Finch 107

Lady Of Power 107

Infinite Wonder 103

Electric Gold 102

Crimson King 101

River Romeo 101

Savannah Storm 101

Street Art 101

Arumugam 98

Solar Power 98

Flying Bull 96

Say Yes 91

Royal Guide 90

Trois Trois Quatre 87