KZN has a double header this weekend with the usual eight race card on the Greyville poly tonight and an eight race meeting at Scottsville on Sunday.

In race one over 1200m, Black Agate showed some fair form over this trip early in his career in Cape Town, which generally has maiden races a lot stronger than this, so looks the one to beat despite a tough draw. War Requiem enjoys the Greyville poly and could earn again under a claimer he gets on well with. Purple Splash wore blinkers on debut over 1000 at Scottsville, which is never a good sign, but ran a fair third and could earn again.  Wild Namaqua jumps from a good draw over a suitable trip and has the ability to win this but a concern is that he choked up last time out.

In the second over 1600m Lecture D made a good poly debut over 1200m and with Anton Marcus up is the selection. Good Team is a well-bred sort by Captain Al and the step up to a mile should suit. Sweet Turn is by Miesque’s Approval, whose progeny enjoy the poly, and he could build on his improved last run. Whale Trail ran on well in his penultimate start and should enjoy the extra 200m. Dulce Leche is already a seven-year-old, but has run on well over shorter, so is interesting over this trip.

In the third over 1600m Tanjiro has some good maiden form in Cape Town and looks impossible to oppose. Winter’s Heir ran a fair race over 1400m on the poly last time and should enjoy the step up in trip. Levi Roots is open to improvement and could earn a cheque.

In the fourth over 1600m Madame Justice, a full-sister to Legislate, wasn’t overly impressive over 1200m on debut, but faces an uninspiring field and will relish the step up in trip. Zara’s Legacy has run some fair races over course and distance and could earn. Hatton Garden ran on late for third over course and distance last time and could place again.

In the fifth over 1600m Surrey hasn’t enjoyed the soft going in his last two starts, but has run one or two good races in better going, so should enjoy the poly. Cape Town horses often have suppressed merit ratings due to the class of horse down there and therefore Surrey is the tip to win, especially considering he has come down in the merit ratings since a good run over 1600m on good ground last November. Sovereign Reign should appreciate the step up in trip on pedigree and this well regarded sort has a chance from pole position under Anton Marcus. Fleetfox has run well over course and distance before and being by Silvano should be improving. Cat In Command is 5kg better off than Royal Colours for a 2,25 length beating over course and distance so could reverse form. Royal Colours loves the course and distance, but has battled to win off a merit rating this high in the past.

The sixth race over 1600 the once well regarded Capel Top is another who could be well weighted in his KZN handicap debut over a suitable trip. Spritzer was way under sufferance in a Novice last time but back in a handicap over a suitable trip could go close. Variety Romp will relish the step back to the trip of his maiden win and will likely attempt to dominate from the start.

In race seven over 1400m, the new Plattner Racing trainer Andre Nel has two runners, The Morrigan and De Sol A Sol, who haven’t run for eight months. His Summerveld assistant Byron Foster didn’t expect them to run bad races, but said they had not been wound up so they will come on from the runs and he expected them to be more effective from a mile upwards. Obrega is selected as she looks likely to appreciate the step down to 1400m, considering the 1600m appeared to blunt her finishing speed. Flash McQueen finished strongly to win over course and distance last time with a first time tongue tie and was only raised three points. Money Penny has been given a reasonable merit rating after winning her second career start over 1200m at Scottsville and could still improve over a trip that should be ideal on pedigree.

In the last race over 1400m Dance On Air is a strong three-year-old who can defy topweight, especially as he looks likely to get a tow from the probable pacemaker Teppenyaki. Roy’s Ambassador could well appreciate the step down in trip and his good finish should be effective in race that looks to have pace. Ready For Take Off is having his third run after a rest and is another who should be finishing well. Eternal Ice has to be considered after a good last run over this trip at Scottsville behind a good sort. Royal Lance could run on into the money. Teppenyaki has heart and it would not be a big surprise to see him holding on for a place.

At Scottsville the highlight will be the clash between the promising Duncan Howells-trained Saratoga Dancer and the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Gr 1-winner Afrikaburn in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1600m. Saratoga Dancer is officially 1kg under sufferance with the latter, but looks likely to continue progressing.

The third, a Graduation Plate over 1200m, will also be a cracker. The up-and-coming Executive Power clashes with the 101 merit rated Beat The Retreat and the former is the choice having already run twice this season. Snowman makes his reappearance here too and this is a horse to follow this season as he is full of talent and could well have benefitted from a long break, although he will be at his best over a mile. Highway Explorer is another talented horse in the race. The Charles Laird’s trio Split The Breeze, Chosen Dash and Red Hot Poker can’t be ignored either.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Anton Marcus