THE GOLD CUP and THE GOLD BRACELET

Desert Links winning the Cup Trial with Greg Cheyne aboard
(Gold Circle)

Desert Links can open the new season on a high note for Summerhill stallion Kahal in the Gr.1 Canon Gold Cup (3200m) at Greyville tomorrow. Basil Marcus, who sends out the favourite, is no stranger to this marathon event, having won the country’s premier staying race twice as a jockey with Hedge in 1976 and Equilateral in 1982. Desert Links, who won the Gr.3 Cup Trial at Clairwood and followed that with a running-on fifth in the Durban July, has shown a distinct liking for the Durban track.

The Gold Cup is ably supported by the Gr.2 Gold Bracelet (2000m), where course specialist Outcome (Muhtafal), a surprise winner of the Gr.1 Garden Province on July day, will attempt to stretch her staying ability beyond a mile. She easily beat Gilded Minaret (Al Mufti) in the Garden Province and jumps from the plum inside draw.