Mike Bass said that it was debateable whether Jeppe’s Reef was good enough to retain his crown in the Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup over 3200m at Greyville on Saturday, but was happy with the six-year-old Jallad gelding’s wellbeing.
He said, “He has come well and has had a nice preparation. His last run in the Nokia Gold Vase didn’t work out well as he was caught wide. If things go his way he could be thereabouts.
Bass has one other Gr 1 runner on the day, Seven Grand, who runs in the Thekwini Stakes over 1600m. He said, “She is going through a growing stage and is becoming big and rangy, so needs to strengthen, but she will definitely enjoy the mile and could be involved in the finish.”
He runs Shingwedzi and Supreme Sunset in the Gr 2 Gold Bracelet over 2000m.
Stable jockey Grant van Niekerk is aboard Shingwedzi and MJ Byleveld rides Supreme Sunset.
Bass said, “They are not well in on weight for age terms, but Shingwedzi is improving all the time and I’m very happy with this distance for her. I’m not sure that Supreme Sunset stays this trip, but if she does she could get a blow in as she is doing very well.”
Bass was quite bullish about his chances in the Listed Darley Arabian over 1600m on the polytrack where Anton Marcus rides Night Trip and Van Niekerk is aboard Ze Kaiser. He said, “This is the right trip for Night Trip. He is in good form and is doing quite well and working well. I think Ze Kaiser could surprise. He has a few niggles so has been a bit disappointing, so I think the poly will suit him. I’m hoping for a good run.”
Bass has Epic Tale in the first on the polytrack over 1400m and said, “Epic Tale ran a good race last time when 3rd over 1600m at Clairwood when coming from last. He is doing nicely and if he takes to the poly and gets going in time, he could have a shout.”
