KZN Champion trainer Duncan Howells yesterday pulled the plug on all of his runners for Scottsville on Sunday, citing a suspected virus.
Writing on his website Howells said that, “due to the inconsistent performances of our runners over the last 2-3 weeks I have a strong feeling we have a virus in the yard. Horses are working very well but running below their best form.
“We are assessing blood pictures at present. I feel it is very important not to stress the horses while dealing with the problem.”
Isingamoya
Howells is not to only trainer in Ashburton battling the suspected virus that, according to some trainers that have had affected horses, lasts between five and six days before recovery.
Howells had three runners entered for the Pinnacle Stakes at Scottsville on Sunday, the field now cut to six runners and leaving the way clear for Mark Dixon’s crack mare Isingamoya.
She was up against top class stable companion London Call last time out, a course and distance specialist, and was also possibly just in need of that outing.
Her only possible danger would appear to be the lightly raced Statute. A facile sprint winner on debut, Michael Roberts jumped the full sister to former Vodacom Durban July winner Legislate up to a mile in the Flamboyant Stake at just her second start, but she was no match for the smart Hashtagyolo and finished with just three behind her.
She is back to a sprint on Sunday but Isingamoya will be no push-over.
Red Chestnut Road had the Summerveld dogs barking his name long before making his debut and after a facile winning start to his career he looked headed for much bigger things.
However, such is the fickle nature of racing, his career went pear-shaped and he has been struggling to win again.
After contesting sprints for all of his career, Robbie Hill finally stretched him to 1750m last time out and he was a touch unlucky to find Wild Wicket in top form and was snaffled late.
Given that showing, the extra furlong on Sunday should not trouble him and as he has nearly bottom weight and is 4kg better off with fellow contenders Celtic Captain and Sun On Africa, he should at least have their measure.
Ashburton-based Paul Gadsby battled the virus with Vision To Kill but it paid dividends last Wednesday and he saddles the sometimes difficult Techno Captain. In his last start over 2400m on Sunday’s course, Techno Captain looked a beaten horse as One Man Show loomed on his outside, but apprentice Ashton Arries managed to rally his mount and Techno Captain staved off eminent defeat.
Sunday’s trip may be on the short side but his last victory was a top effort.
Head Honcho is another to consider after also putting one over the luckless One Man Show. Tongue-tie on and blinkers removed appear to have been the recipe for his improved showing but he could also find this tough going at the weights.
By Andrew Harrison
