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The Summer Cup is the jewel in Johannesburg's horse racing crown and forms one of the big three races on the South African calendar along with the Durban July and the Sun Met in Cape Town.
20 horses, saddled by South Africa's best trainers and ridden by the top jockeys in the land line-up with the winner scooping their connections a jaw-dropping R1.25 million.
The main storyline of the race is Gauteng-based trainer Geoff Woodruff as he goes in search of a record shattering fifth consecutive win in this race.
Woodruff has trained six winners of this race, but is still some way behind Mike de Kock who has won this race an impressive nine times.
To complicate things further, SA's champion trainer for the past three seasons, Sean Tarry, sends four horses into the race.
Master Sabina looks for his third consecutive win in this race, but at eight-years-old, he will need to roll back the years to win this one.
The betting is wide open on the race with Orchid Island a slender favourite at BET.co.za in an incredibly fluid betting market. Crowd Pleaser, Pagoda, Hermoso Mundo and Abashiri all feature near the top of the betting boards.
Ante-post betting favourites Abashiri and Hermoso Mundo received unfavourable wide draws which has seen the betting become even more competitive as race day approaches.
Affectionately known as 'the people's race', Turffontein promises a carnival atmosphere on race day with a Ferris wheel, fashion shows, live music, exotic food and drink as well as a 'half-time' extravaganza before the main race.
With the Pick 6 pool expected to hit R6 million on Saturday, this is one of the biggest race days of the year.
Final field:
1. New Predator
2. Abashiri
3. Master Sabina
4. French Navy
5. Brazuca
6. Fort Ember
7. Mac de Lago
8. Master Switch
9. Orchid Island
10. Wind Chill
11. Hermoso Mundo
12. Crowd Pleaser
13. Banner Hill
14. Liege
15. Pagoda
16. Girl on the Run
17. Coral Fever
18. Tilbury Fort
19. Social Order
20. Let It Rain
For the latest Summer Cup betting visit BET.co.za
