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Gold Vase winner Seal has returned to his Turffontein base but trainer Gavin van Zyl says he will return to Durban on July 28 for the G1 Ladbrokes Gold Cup on Super Saturday at Greyville.
Van Zyl said about the decision to take Seal back to Turffontein: “Seal does very well in Turffontein's environment and is used to the tracks there.”
The former top jockey has studied the patterns of raiders from the Highveld to Durban over a period of about three decades, going back to when he used to ride for the Transvaal's champion trainer Jean Heming.
“Mrs Heming never used to campaign in Durban and neither did Ormond Ferraris. I have noticed that horses can raid twice without a problem and it only becomes a problem if tried for a third time.”
He pointed to the performance of the Corne Spies-trained Straight Set, second in the G1 Tsogo Sun Medallion over 1200m at Scottsville and second in the G1 Durban Golden Slipper over 1400m at Greyville on July day as further backup to this theory.
Seal, a four-year-old Silvano gelding, clearly relished the step up in trip of the Gold Vase where he produced a resolute finish to catching In Writing late to win by 0.75 lengths.
He carried second top weight there and was given a three-point ratings rise, which means he will have to carry topweight of 60kg in the Gold Cup over 3200m.
In Writing will be 1kg better off in the Gold Vase, Kolkata will be 1kg better off for a 3,25 length beating and Ilsanpietro will be 1,5kg better off for a 3,75 length beating.
Seal is drawn wide in 17 but Van Zyl is not too concerned.
“We would have preferred a better draw, but he will stay out of trouble from there," Van Zyl said.
Robbie Fradd retains the ride.Van Zyl's other G1 runner on the day will be the two-year-old Heavenisaracehorse in the G1 Premier's Champion Stakes over 1600m.
He won his maiden at his second start over 1400m, a race that has worked out well with three winners come out of it in four subsequent starts.
The two-year-old colts do not appear to be as strong as the fillies this season, although the G1 Golden Horseshoe winner War Horse looks a decent sort who should relish the extra 200m in the Champion Stakes.
Heavenisaracehorse is drawn eight in a field that has cut up to just 12 runners and will be ridden by Brandon Lerena.
