The little bit of rain that fell at Scottsville on Friday night was manna from heaven for Peter Muscutt as Monte Christo revelled in the going to run out a comfortable winner of the Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap.

“He’s had his problems,” said Muscutt, KZN assistant to Brett Crawford, “and the rain definitely helped.”

It was the first official run for Crawford who acquired the gelding after Charles Laird retired. “The (two) barrier trials were a big help. We would warm him up without any pressure and we didn’t have to smash him on the track.”

It was a comfortable win by the favourite who got home ahead of Tribal Fusion, giving Shane Humby his third runner-up finish in two meetings.

Monte Christo’s win was a tonic for backers of favourites as they were in short supply in the opening exchanges.

Francisco started a short-priced favourite in the first but the strapping son of Fort Wood still has a bit to learn. He was tardy out of the gate and never got his act together. Winner, Flying George, had finished a neck behind Francisco when last they met but Mark Dixon’s runner made the necessary step up. “He didn’t take to the poly track last time and is much better on the grass.”

La Valette was the next favourite to go “missing” only managing fourth behind the first timer Le Bella. The going down the inside of the Scottsville straight again appears to be something of an issue. Whether it’s just perceived or a reality is hard to tell with jockeys ducking for the inside and horses drawn towards the outside rail appearing to struggle.

Le Bella had an inside draw and Garth Puller’s filly ran on strongly to beat Second Request, both horses coming off barrier trials. La Valette was drawn 15 and seemed to battle to get going.

Bronnie took a squeeze shortly after the start dislodging apprentice Eric Ngwane. He escaped battered and bruised but otherwise unscathed.

Tactics played a vital role in the third as Muzi Yeni Duke Of Spin to the front and the opposition had a lengthy view of his backside as he went all the way and never looked like stopping.

“He’s a nice horse. He has a big stride and we didn’t want to have him stop starting in the pack,” said Duncan Howells.

“So, we decided to take him to the front and it paid off. He’s a horse that will go 2000m. I think you will hear a lot more about him.”

Mark Khan is becoming a regular at KZN tracks and paid for his flight from Gauteng, getting home on 11-1 chance French Legend for Mike Miller in the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap. This was the five-year-old mare’s second win.

Apprentice Khanya Sakayi is riding with supreme confidence at the moment. He scored a treble last Saturday and is proving full value for his 4kg claim as he notched a double for Garth Puller, giving the Summerveld trainer a treble.

Both wins came after titanic struggles. He stalked the pace on Los Barbados and came together with Crime Victim nearly two furlongs out. The pair drove head-to-head for the wire with Sakayi’s 4kg claim probably the difference between winning and losing.

Next up he took Rio De La Plata to the front and 400m out was in danger of being swamped. But Sakayi kept hard at his mount and took on favourite Verdier who was challenging strongly. Again it was a desperate finish with Rio De La Plata lasting home by a short head.

By Andrew Harrison