The weather is set fair for The Equator. Amid reports of the five-year-old looking smart on the gallops in his preparations for the Betway Summer Cup, he has landed the services of champion jockey Gavin Lerena and a choice draw for Joburg’s biggest horse race.
When the final field for the R6-million Grade 1 contest at Turffontein was unveiled at Katy’s Palace Bar on Wednesday night, part-owner Willem Ackerman pulled out gate No 3 for his expensive Irish import – to the relief of punters who had backed him into 3-1 favourite.
The Equator, trained by Tony Peter, will jump alongside defending champion and 4-1 second favourite Atticus Finch from the Alec Laird stable, who drew stall gate No 2.
Calvin Habib rode the son of Master Of My Fate to victory in 2024 and will be in the irons again on 29 November.
Owner Peter Victor represented 2023 winner Royal Victory and drew 14 for the Nathan Kotzen charge. The son of Pathfork will be partnered by Chad Little.
Sean Tarry drew the 20 slot for Legend Of Arthur and Malesela Katjedi will be asked to overcome the widest draw.
THE FIELD
(draw, name, weight, MR, no, trainer, jockey)
2 Atticus Finch 60 127 1 Alec Laird Calvin Habib
14 Royal Victory 59 125 2 Nathan Kotzen Chad Little
11 King Pelles 57.5 122 3 Gareth van Zyl S’manga Khumalo
4 Son Of Raj 55.5 118 4 Tony Peter Kabelo Matsunyane
3 The Equator 55 117 5 Tony Peter Gavin Lerena
20 Legend Of Arthur 54.5 117 6 Sean Tarry Malesela Katjedi
18 Madison Valley 54.5 116 7 Frank Robinson Craig Zackey
8 Otto Luyken 54.5 116 8 James Crawford Juan Paul v’d Merwe
12 My Best Shot 54 116 9 Alan Greeff Richard Fourie
5 On My Honour 54 116 10 Glen Kotzen Serino Moodley
10 Spumante Dolce 54 116 11 Mike / Mathew de Kock Callan Murray
16 Parisian Walkway 54 115 12 Alec Laird Philasande Mxoli
7 Busstopinhounslow 54 112 13 Grant Maroun #Rachel Venniker
9 Olivia’s Way 54 112 14 Roy Magner Grant van Niekerk
1 The Ultimate King 54 111 15 Tony Peter Muzi Yeni
15 Wild Intent 54 110 16 Lucky Houdalakis Marco V’Rensburg
17 Anfields Rocket 54 109 17 Grant Maroun Sean Veale
19 Solar Sail 54 109 18 Mark Khan Jarryd Penny
13 Mocha Blend 54 105 19 Frank Robinson Tristan Godden
6 Navajo Nation 54 104 20 W O Marwing/W H Marwing Kobeli Lihaba
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