There were two top division Sprint Handicaps on the Greyville poly yesterday for punters to enjoy and both were won by 2,5kg apprentice claimers.
In a MR 94 Handicap over 1200m, the Mark Dixon-trained Scent Of The Tiger started 9/2 favourite and turned for home in front under Ashton Arries. The field could only chase in vain and the four-year-old Tiger Ridge gelding ran out a 0,75 length winner from Great Value and Mr Roy.
Later, the speedy Hashtag Strat was caught close to home by a flying Paul Gadsby-trained Vision To Kill in a MR 91 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m. The four-year-old Kildonan filly’s topweight of 62kg was relieved by the claim of Serino Moodley and she converted odds of 21/2 for her fourth win in just ten starts.
Priceless Gem (Denzil Govender)
In the first, a Maiden over 1200m, the Michael Roberts-trained four-year-old Dan De Lago gelding Lupo is an impressive specimen and won at odds of 21/2 under 2,5kg claimer Ashton Arries. He jumped from a draw of 12 out of 12 and did well to kick on and win by a comfortable 1,5 lengths, especially considering Arries had brought him around the field from near the back before they had reached the straight. Lupo looks capable of winning more races.
In the second, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m, Torrey Pines started 12/10 favourite and the first-timer Rapid Roxy was backed in from 20/1 to second favourite before drifting out to 5/1. There was also money for the Paddy Lunn-trained Antonius Pius filly Fair Antonia, who had made a moderate debut over 1000m. She shortened from 20/1 to 10/1 and, jumping from a wide draw, tugged Stuart Randolph to the front. She stayed on well in the straight and Torrey Pines, coming from near the back, failed by a neck to catch her.
In the third, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m, the Charles Laird-trained four-year-old Great Britain filly Sapphire Petunia impressed in the parade ring and led from start to finish under Tristan Gooden to convert 26/10 favouritism.
Randolph made it a double in the fifth, a MR 77 Handicap over 1200m, when coming from near the back on the Wendy Whitehead-trained 5/1 shot Hard To Play. The three-year-old Curved Ball colt is now unbeaten in two starts.
There was an upset in the seventh, a MR 70 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m, when the Greg and Karen Anthony-trained five-year-old Lion Tamer mare Class Act stayed on strongly from a handy position under Alec Forbes, having overcome a draw of ten. The favourite Tweed Valley failed by 1,25 lengths to reach the 17-1 chance.
In the last race, a MR 61 Handicap over 2000m, punters watched in disbelief as the jockeys who were in a position to do anything about it just allowed the James Goodman-trained eight-year-old Silvano gelding Priceless Gem to escape in front after jockey Doctor Lembethe had decided the pace was far too slow. Not surprisingly, Lembethe kept going on the 55/1 shot and the fancied Viking Red, who was caught on the rail behind the slow pace, could only chase in vain.
By David Thiselton
