KZN has a double header this weekend with eight races on the Greyville polytrack tonight and eight more at Scottsville on Sunday.
The latter meeting has attracted some good horses and should provide purists with a feast of action.
In the first on Sunday Mike de Kock brings out the Argentinian-bred filly Ebtihaal for her second career start. She looked to be full of class on debut over this 1000m course and distance. She was slow away but made up the ground quickly and then still managed to kick away from the field in impressive style despite soft underfoot conditions. The Allan Robertson could be beckoning. She has to give weight to the rest of the field, who are all first-timers, but it will take a good one to peg her back. The Australian-bred Mygirldownunder by Gr 1 Prix Morny winner Myboycharlie is an interesting contender.
The second is competitive, but Bold Approach makes a lot of appeal coming back down to 1000m. Her last win, over 1200m, was off an 81 merit rating and before that she beat the useful Sarve over 1000m off a 77 merit rating. She has come down the ratings quickly to a 66 and with her natural pace from a good draw should go close. Kingsview loves this course and distance and has a shout with a 2,5 claimer up. Easy debut winner Cosmic Burst could still be anything and her mere 72 merit rating gives her the chance to progress through the ranks if she proves good enough.
In the third over 1200m an exciting sprinting sort in Natal is the one to beat. The turn of foot he showed over1000m last time was effortless but devastating and he should enjoy the step up in trip. He is best in at the weights. Captain Chaos, the facile Gr 3 Cape Nursery winner, makes his debut for the Mark Dixon yard. Dixon said the run might come just one week too soon. However, Cape form can never be sneezed at and he has to be considered.
In the fourth over 1200m the Highveld raider Joan Ranger looks the one to beat. She has shown plenty of speed over 1450m against good horses, so the step back to this trip might be what she is looking for despite her pedigree. She has a nice stride and Delpech rides from a plum draw. She is also officially the best in at the weights. The older Shezaleader loves this course and distance and has not been disgraced against some good sorts recently, so will be a threat. Elusiveenchantment looked a smart sort when winning her maiden and is another big runner.
In the fifth over 1950m, All Together Now relaxed beautifully in the running before turning it on nicely in the straight when winning comfortably over 1600m last time out. He should love the step up in trip on both pedigree and running style and looks to have a touch of class.
In the sixth over 1600m the exciting Mater Familias reappears after impressing with an easy maiden win second time out on the poly. She could be anything and is a banker possibility. However, beyond her the race is very open and the whole field would probably have to be included.
The seventh is a maiden over 1400m and is much more open than it appears to be at first sight. Lateral Dancer looks to have the most scope for improvement among this weak bunch and is tipped, but all of Hanji, Destined For Dawn, Reactive, Nutcracker, Powder Keg and Stormatic could be considered.
The eight is a competitive fillies and mares handicap over 1400m and it would be wise to go wide in the exotics, although the one who makes most appeal is Black Cashmere. She looks likely to appreciate the step down in trip, as one who has over raced over further, and she looks to have some scope too. Furthermore, she jumps from a good draw off a merit rating which has been dropped ten points since her handicap debut.
By David Thiselton
Picture: Ebtihaal (Nkosi Hlophe)
