Triple Grade 1 winner Inara could be fitted with blinkers in future big races after her younger full sister Inanna showed the benefit in the Hudson’s Handicap at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Candice Robinson said: “Inara could also do with a pair. She is one of those who look around a bit and is not quite into the bridle for most of a race.”
Inara (Liesl King)
The decision to put them on Inanna came after her disappointing run when second favourite on Queen’s Plate day and Mike Bass’s successor explained: “I fancied her a lot that day but she didn’t run her race at all. I felt blinkers would help her travel. We have always rated her and I think she has a bright future. She will keep improving.”
This was the final leg of a treble for Grant van Niekerk who wasted no time in adding to Wednesday’s Durbanville four-timer. He followed up an exercise romp on Extradite in the first by springing a 40-1 shock on Cardinal Call to delight Darryl Hodgson who was confined to base by sore heel and ligament problems.
Arctic Blast, starting at a prohibitive 1-3, bowled along in front like a good thing until just over a furlong from home when he went out as if hit by load-shedding.
MJ Byleveld came in reporting that something was obviously wrong. The stipes ordered a veterinary report which stated that the horse made a poor recovery. So did those who backed him.
Brett Crawford reckons there is more to come from Mr Bond who mercilessly cut down long-time leader Megamind inside the final furlong of the Snaith Racing Handicap.
Crawford said: “He has a knee chip which we are nursing but we also put a drop noseband on him to get him to settle and I think that is the key to everything. He can now go a bit further.”
Seemingly Andre Nel also believes Solana can collect again after the filly got up close home under Aldo Domeyer to beat 16-10 favourite Arabian Winter in the Bishops Handicap.
Nel said: “She is a quirky filly and she wasn’t at her best here but handicapping-wise that will probably work in her favour.”
It has been a rewarding classic-winning season for Domeyer and he reached the 40-winner mark when taking the last on Tripinthemist for Paddy Kruyer.
By Michael Clower
