Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Golden Chariot on fire

Chad Cooke
Feature races continue to highlight racing on the Highveld where the Listed Drum Star Handicap over 1 800m for a stake of R135 000 heads the nine-race bill at Turffontein on saturday afternoon.
The 12 runners contesting Saturday's feature have amassed 58 wins between them with E-Fuel having contributed 10 of those wins.
While this gelding is obviously talented, one may have to look elsewhere for the potential winner. Trainer Sean Tarry saddles three runners and he must be fairly confident that his charges will secure the majority of the prize money on offer. Although all three have good enough form to lay claim to the first prize, it is Golden Chariot that makes the most appeal.
This five-year-old son of Caesour has been a revelation since returning to the track after a lengthy absence, recording three wins from three outings.
The gelding has been most impressive in all three starts and last time out over 2 000m on the outside track here he took up the lead early and cantered clear of the field to win by over a length.
Unfortunately the three wins have come at a heavy price, the handicappers having handed him 17 points for the three runs.
Tarry’s charge could well defy the handicapper yet again and it would be foolish to think that he could not.
The main danger to the Tarry inmate could be the St John Gray-trained Call To Combat. This son of Announce went off firm favourite in the race that Golden Chariot won over 2 000m on the outside track here, beating the Gray runner by three lengths. The latter enjoys a 2kg swing in the weights for the three length beating which should not be enough to reverse the form but he will certainly should be a lot closer on Saturday.
Bourquet-Garni made a promising debut for his new stable when coming off a break but staying on for a decent fifth over 1 600m at this track.
Gavin van Zyl’s runner will strip a fitter horse now and will appreciate this longer trip, albeit that it might not be what he would ideally be looking for.
This former Derby winner has proven his class and although he might have lost his form he will not have lost his ability. Zimbabwean-bred Killaridge was a game winner last time out as he came from off the pace to get the better of Regal Ransom over 1 800m at the Vaal. The five-year-old has good form over the distance and has drawn well, giving him a chance in a very competitive handicap.
The race following the afternoon feature is a Pinnacle Plate over 1 450m and may well be the race with the most interest on the day.
Talented Oracy makes his first appearance back on the Highveld after a very creditable run in the Met. The four-year-old son of Zabeel has been forgotten about to a degree and he looks set to play second fiddle to his stablemate Imperial Gesture on Saturday with stable rider Anton Marcus electing to partner the latter, but the former is very talented and has ability over a range of distances. Many will feel that the impressive manner in which Imperial Gesture hammered the opposition over the course and distance last time out should be enough to ensure his victory here, but he meets a proven champion in Oracy who has also won over the course and distance. Oracy is also the best weighted runner in this contest and he gets the vote to beat Imperial Gesture home.

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