Rain is in short supply in most of southern Africa but punters will be looking to Mike de Kock’s filly Rain In Africa to beak her drought when she runs in the seventh at Greyville this afternoon.

On a card littered with Maidens and Handicap punters will be digging deep into the form book where all races are on the poly, and all barring one with maximum fields.

Rain In Africa has her first outing in KZN after running up a string of placings on the Highveld but alarmingly in most of those races the jockeys have returned reporting respiratory noises which does not augur well. However, that has not been enough to stop her finishing in the money in all of her seven starts and the switch to poly over the minimum trip may finally get her over the line.

The balance of the runners consists of a group of fellow battlers but the danger could come in the form of two-year-old Castor Cat. Weiho Marwing’s runner has also been reported to have breathing issues but she did improve last time out and could be finding form.

Silver Sage and Smart World will be popular choices in the last and barring sudden improvement by one or two of the opposition, should fight this one out.

Silver Sage comes from the all-conquering Sean Tarry yard and has put in two smart efforts on the poly since making his debut. He was doing his best work late behind the heavily backed Starrett City late last month and is the likely favourite.

However, apprentice Lyle Hewitson will have to deal with old fox Anton Marcus aboard Dennis Drier’s charge Smart World that steps out in blinkers for the first time. He raced on the same day as Silver Sage, but over a ‘mile’, and gave the impression that he would enjoy today’s extended trip as he was running on stoutly in the finish after missing the jump.

Blinkers and Marcus could be enough to get him off the mark.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a nightmare race. Trinity Hall has been knocking at the door for some time now but could again leave the door open has pulled another tough draw. Drier, ahead in the KZN Trainer’s Championship, could take advantage and add another to his total with Majix. The grey found trouble at the start last time after showing steady improvement. He races in a tongue-tie for the first time.

A Divided Handicap heads the card where Executive Power can go one better after being caught late by the smart Paterfamilias on the Greyville poly. Prior to that he has some smart form in strong company and from the best of the draw can add to an already useful record.

Chestnut’s Rocket appears to have taken a liking to Scottsville where he won a feature as a three-year-old and finished runner-up to It Is Written over the course and distance when making his seasonal KZN debut back in March. He has to give a bit of pudding to the younger Executive Power and that may be what separates the pair at the line.

Sail South, Diamond King, Master James and the grey Isca, who blew the start and declared a non-runner at his last intended start, are others to consider in a difficult race.

Irish Pride and Cape Laddie look the principal contenders in the fifth but both have been compromised by wide draws. Cape Laddie has not been out since November last year but showed early in his career when making his debut on the Greyville poly that he is a horse with potential.

Dean Kannemeyer is a past master at letting his runners mature without being under pressure and Cape Laddie could prove the pick of the field in spite of the draw.

By Andrew Harrison