Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Pegasus on the Wright track

David Thiselton
There is a truism in racing that one should never look beyond the obvious, or in other words, a runner’s chances should be evaluated more so on their merits as opposed to rumours.
The truism has been tested to its limits by off-season racing in KwaZulu-Natal recently as rain affected training tracks and viruses have led to some results that defy the formbook. However, there has now been a period of good weather and it would be wise to stick to the formbook for the upcoming meeting at Scottsville on Wednesday.
One horse that has it all in the looks department is the Alyson Wright-trained Pegasus Legacy, a magnificent three-year-old gelding by Fusaichi Pegasus.
His homework is up with his looks and, although he hasn’t quite brought it to the racetrack yet, his last start over 1 200m at Clairwood last week was rather encouraging.
He hit the front around the 400m mark travelling like a winner, but was run out of it late by Prince Of Cannes, who is no slouch. Pegasus Legacy should appreciate the step up in trip to 1 300m in the third tomorrow and is drawn in pole position.
Monetary Star from the Bhekinkosi Bulana yard could be the main danger as he has consistent form, going close in most of his recent races from 1 400-1 800m.
He is well drawn and, ominously, is ridden by the in-form Muzi Yeni who broke the hearts of Pegasus Legacy supporters last time aboard Prince Of Cannes.
Hunter’s Hill drops down to his best sort of trip and is also well drawn. One can never ignore form horses from the Doug Campbell yard, especially at this time of the year as his tracks are not as affected by rain as Summerveld’s.
The Dennis Drier-trained Southern Heights was backed into favouritism in a weak field over 1 000m at this course last time, but was intractable and should improve.
Storyteller, making his debut, beat Southern Heights by 0,5 lengths in that race when running on well for second, but then disappointed over 1 200m, reportedly not acting in the soft. He has a wide draw to overcome here and this is a stronger field than his debut.
The fourth, a Graduation Plate over 1 400m, is another interesting race.
The in-form Glen Kotzen yard send out Royal Union, who ran an excellent 0,5 length second to the promising Kings Wings over 1 200m at Greyville in good to soft going in a Graduation Plate recently. He has done well over 1 400m before and is relatively well treated at the weights.
Mahubo is best in at the weights and is 5kg better off with Royal Union on official merit rated terms.
Although he probably deserves his rating, having run a four-length fourth to the promising Pierre Jourdan in the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup, he might need this run after a three-month break.
Vai Quem Quer has a lot to do on official merit-rated terms, but the form of his maiden win over 1 200m has worked out well and he went close over 1 400m in a Handicap last time. He is drawn well too.
Royal Union is taken to win from Vai Quem Quer and Mahubo, although Dash Off, who appears to prefer racing near the coast, Savannah Park and Smart Al can’t
be ignored if bringing their best to the course.
The highest rated race of the day is the seventh, a MR 81 Handicap over 1 600m, and this could also be fought out by the Kotzen and Drier yards.
The Kotzen-trained Vilayet did well when stepped up to a mile last time and is well drawn again.
The Drier-trained Fantastic Lady was at last given some relief by the handicapper before her last start, dropping from a 78 to a 73 and she went close over 1 400m. She now has her third run after a rest and should contest the finish over a trip she is capable of seeing out.
Should the first two come under pressure late on over the trip, then Gavin van Zyl’s pair, Alaskan Isles and Sunningdale, look the best options to pick up the pieces, while the Paul Lafferty-trained Newsagent, as usual, is sure to be trying her heart out.

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