Punters have a real incentive to solve the 2024 Summer Cup handicap puzzle. Not only will the single race exotics pay well given the deeply competitive, 20-runner field and large betting pools, but it also forms part of all the horizontal exotic sequences (Bipot, PA, P6 and both Jackpots.) Closer to the jump at 16h00, there will also be some fancy fixed odds prices available.

Below is a deep dive into each entry, in card order. Their career best speed figure to date is listed next to their name. At the end of the article are letter grades, which group the horses according to the probability of winning and potential value they may offer.

SEE IT AGAIN – s/s 116: is seriously high class from a mile up to middle distances and is bred for tests of stamina; was outstanding at three and four but his figures have dipped slightly at five where he has “only” been running around 109; gelding in August may help him hit the heights again; makes a first foray to the Highveld which is always a query; should work out a smooth passage under Strydom from draw 6; primary Win candidate but a bit skinny at 3/1 antepost - anything better than 9/2 would represent fair value.

MAIN DEFENDER – s/s 115: produced some remarkable numbers as a juvenile and 3YO over seven panels and a mile; lesser efforts have followed since and this 11/1 chance remains a question mark over this distance; hinting at a form return again when scoring 105 last time under a heavy burden over 1800m behind Greeting My Master; will get a good stalk and pounce trip from draw 3; is an enormous talent but legit concerns remain as he stretches out over a longer route; not sure whether to either endorse or reject his chances?

WINCHESTER MANSION – s/s 112: is a “duck or no dinner” type who mixes quality performances with dreary displays; is arguably too close in the weights now to See It Again compared to their July clash in 2023. Also worse off with Royal Victory on their level weights C/D clash back in April 2024; it’s difficult to see this temperamental 13/1 shot winning from an awkward draw (13) but he could sneak a place on his best form.

ROYAL VICTORY – s/s 112: won this last year and has a fine record at Turffontein; prepped well behind the resuming, See It Again at Greyville a month ago and is better off at the weights this time; consistent and dependable – seems sure to give his running once again under Gavin Lerena who rides this layout expertly; second favourite at 6/1 and a potential Win candidate.

PURPLE PITCHER – s/s 107: goes well third run after a rest and seems to be rounding into form; could be a pace factor if ridden decisively from a handy position; good record over ground at this venue when near the top of his generation at three; needs to strengthen his finishing punch to contend, though; 15/1 in early trade.

BARBARESCO – s/s 109: steady performer with a solid record; has suffered through some rough trips, for example still ran gamely in the G1 Daily News over this distance despite a horrid passage; comfortably holds Winchester Mansion at the weight turn around compared to their most recent meeting; 10/1 ante post seems a square price about his claims.

PUERTO MANZANO – s/s 105: used to rate higher (108); was very successful at this track in his prime; but his form this year has been dull, hence dismissive quotes of 75/1

PURE PREDATOR – s/s 104; career best achieved over this C/D in April ’24; prior to that had some memorable duels with Purple Pitcher as a 3YO; current form is uninspiring however (not striding out 19 days ago in his prep) and needs to improve significantly on that; priced up at 33/1.

FRANCES ETHEL – s/s 104: this determined filly is primed third up after a rest and has the wizardry of Oisin Murphy to aid her cause; rates close to contemporary, Silver Sanctuary on Woolavington back form; should work out a good trip and will be all heart in the finish; 8/1 are her current odds.

FUTURE PEARL – s/s 105; is a former star stayer; form has dipped badly due to unsoundness; goes well for masterful hoop, Richard Fourie but needs a dramatic revival. 35/1 is his price.

ZEUS s/s 103: admirable 10 x winner that has also forged his reputation as a marathon runner and is similarly priced by the bookies to Future Pearl; being drawn on the wide outside is no help; lacks the zip needed to contend against quality middle distance performers.

BEATING WINGS – s/s 102; comes in here in fine fettle; should enjoy a saloon passage from draw 5 sitting just off the early pace; that said, she may be light on figs and needs a career peak to get involved. Only given a remote 4% chance of success by the layers.

SILVER SANCTUARY – s/s 105 +:is in great shape and should sit a smooth trip, too; consistent filly with scope to improve even more being by Silvano and trained by a maestro, MDK; currently around 10/1 in the market.

HOTARUBI – s/s 102: just two wins from 18 starts with plenty of places sums up his career; will again give it his best shot but tends to come up short in these Graded races; Bookies give him a meagre 2% outliers chance of upsetting.

LITIGATION – s/s 104: eight wins from 34 starts; likely pace influence as he goes best upfront and is drawn on the inside (1); conditioned by big race ace, Sean Tarry; is another that will probably run to his figure but it’s hard to envisage this 66/1 chance still contending when it counts.

ATTICUS FINCH – s/s 106: Alec Laird will have his charge is sharp condition; is another well drawn front runner liable to press the pace; could again be vulnerable to better closers in deep stretch – that was his fate in last year’s Summer Cup when finishing in the ruck 4.4 lengths off Royal Victory though he is three kg’s better off on Saturday; slight overlay at 20/1 and beckons as an each way play.

RULE BY FORCE – s/s 101 +: hard-to-assess, lightly raced five-year-old that has won three of 12 starts; neat prep when winning untroubled 19 days ago; was behind the best as a 3YO (4.5 lengths off Son Of Raj in the ’23 SA Derby) but still has upside; 55/1 shot needs to hit a new career top to have any hope.

CAPE EAGLE – s/s 107: is usually pitched in slightly lower than this class; has dependable form in KZN; won the Durban July Consolation with a tidy fig of 107 over 2200m at Greyville but is now worse off with Atticus Finch; prefers racing handy; will need to get over from draw 17; 80/1 seems a touch dismissive so is a longshot worth adding underneath to single race exotics.

MADISON VALLEY – s/s 104: just edged out Cape Eagle in his prep for this seven weeks ago; negatives are a bad draw of 19 and he now moves up sharply in grade; pros are that he is still developing physically as a 4YO and will see it out no problem in a contest  that could be run quite hard with the non-stayers running out of gas; 40/1 available

MY SOUL MATE – s/s 100:  2 wins from 15 tries; best runs were 1.75 lengths adrift of Frances Ethel in the Oaks over 2400m and a similar margin in arrears of Silver Sanctuary in the Woolavington; more is required for this 80/1 spook to trouble the scorer.

GRADES FOR THE 2024 SUMMER CUP:

A = 1 4 B = 6 9 13 16 C = 2 3 5 18 19