Soma hopes weight will clear Charity Mile draw

There are a number of favorite runners in the R1 million Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile over 1600m at the Standside Course in Turffontein on Saturday who were unlucky at last Wednesday’s draw ceremony and one of them is back in business.

Winner of both the listed Betway Spring Spree Stakes over 1200m and the Grade 2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge over 1450m, the Joe Soma-trained runner was given a draw at number 17, who should move to number 15 when the substitutes come out runners.

After the performance, Soma admitted that with this draw they were at a disadvantage, especially in the 1600m.

“Given that we have such a wide grid, it will be very, very difficult,” Soma said. “But having said that, he got the weight on his side after his last race (Joburg Spring Challenge) where they were the same weight or gained 1kg.

“Now he gets 4kg from the same horses. So with that in mind, it’s tied, but a wide draw is always tricky.

“But we have Muzi Yeni, and that’s always a big plus.”

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In his weekly column last Saturday, Yeni wrote about the draw.

“Unfortunately, my horse Back In Business, who I consider to be the main contender in the race, turned out to be quite wide and although I have a lot of trust in the horse, he is never perfect.”

There is also the question of whether he will remain at 1600m and Soma said the Charity Mile will be a test.

“The goal is to see if he can walk a mile. It’s an enjoyable race and obviously after this we will plan for his future,” Soma added.

Current rates:

• 3-1 Dave King;
• 11-2 Francis Ethel;
• 15-2 Barbaresco;
• 8-1 Celtic Rooms;
• 17-2 Back in business;
• 9-1 Silver Sanctuary;
• 16-1 Winchester Mansion;
• 18-1 Give another chance;
• 20-1 Gladatorian, Meridius;
• 22-1 Hotarubi;
• 25-1 Quasi-force, Safe passage;
• 30-1 Shoemaker,
• 33-1 Melech;
• 35-1 Legal proceedings.

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