September 2 - The R600,000 Emerald Cup (Gr 2) is arguably South Africa's most popular and prestigious race on sand, and set for Saturday, September 25 at the Vaal Racecourse, this year's outing is expected to be a outstanding.

How could it not be, considering the 1450m race has received an impressive 36 nominations, which means racing fans can expect to see some of the finest runners in the land compete in the richest sand race on the continent of Africa.

Of particular interest is Alimony, the thoroughbred who chalked up a victory in the Emerald Cup in 2008 and finished third in last year's race behind Phunyuka. His trainer believes that he could become the first horse to win the race twice.

But first, however, Alimony will have to overcome the likes of Storm Crossing and Braggadaci, two top horses from the stable of Mike de Kock, who is arguably South Africa's best trainer and one who is well-known internationally.

That said, Phunyuka should not be ruled out considering he won the Listed August Stakes last year before the Emerald Cup, and by all accounts is in top condition this year and so he could also be the first to deliver two victories.

And Phunyuka's trainer, Roy Magner, has pulled out all the stops ahead of this year's Emerald Cup by also nominating Fuzzy Cuzzy, Eastern Cobbler and quality filly, Cinnamon Sugar, who has won six of seven starts at the Vaal.

Meanwhile, top-rated trainer Sean Tarry has nominated two of his best sand specialists. Sayadaw and Incomodo, and Geoff Woodruff has put forward the names of two of his best runners in the form of Flybyme and Don't Tell Titch.

Here is the complete list of nominations (and trainers) for the 2010 Emerald Cup on September 25 at the Vaal:

Acrisius (D Zaki)
Al Felon (W H Tolmay)
Alimony (S J Gray)
Boy Oh Boy (J S Roux)
Braggadacio (M F De Kock)
Cinnamon Sugar (R R Magner)
Club Victor (T Lowe)
Comedy Caravan (G Paddock)
Deep Water (C Laird)
Don't Tell Titch (G V Woodruff)
Eastern Cobbler (R R Magner)
Emir (G M Alexander)
Exhilaration (D Zaki)
Fearless Gun (M N Houdalakis)
Fenerbahce (G M Alexander)
Flybyme (G V Woodruff)
Fuzzy Cuzzy (R R Magner)
Iliad (R R Sage)
Immelman (M F De Kock)
Incomodo (S G Tarry)
Iron Curtain (R R Sage)
Jet Tycoon (G V Woodruff)
Littleredcorvette (Mdc Mclachlan)
Lochlorien (M G Azzie)
Mahogany (P F Matchett)
Ozzie Dude (B O Wiid)
Phunyuka (R R Magner)
Queen's Bay (M G Azzie)
Raga Muffin (B D Botes)
Royal Express (R P Lerena)
Sayadaw (S G Tarry)
Sharks Bay (D R Drier)
Sonic Barrier (C Laird)
Speed For Gold (D R Drier)
Storm Crossing (M F De Kock)
Watchful (M G Azzie)

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2011/12/09 12:47:25 AM