What are the chances of Pearl Emblem continuing on her run of victories at Greyville tonight? Paul Lafferty’s mare bids for her fifth straight win and seventh of the season when she lines up in the Greta Schoeman Memorial Handicap over her favoured 1400m on the poly track.
Statistics are against her and it will be harder as the handicappers have upped the ante but many of those in opposition have already fallen victim to her relentless galloping. As any jockey will tell you, winning from the front is never easy and always a risk, especially when the opposition is wise to the tactic.
But Lafferty has placed his mare well and taken full advantage of the 4kg claim of apprentice Denis Schwarz. Schwarz was recording the sixth win of his career when winning on the mare back in September and has more than doubled his tally of victories in under two months.
Pearl Emblem (Nkosi Hlophe)
Schwarz gets on particularly well with his mount who has enough gate speed and pace to make it to the front and settle into a rhythm, but holding onto that lead will be fully tested this evening.
Off Ramp was well beaten when last the two met but that was the first outing for Dean Kannemeyer’s mare in two months and she looked short of an edge that day. She has shown good form over the trip and with apprentice Eric Ngwane taking 1,5kg off her back there is a 3,5kg swing in the weights with Pearl Emblem. Off Ramp is expected to strip a little fitter this time around and should make things difficult for Pearl Emblem.
Kannemeyer has a second string to his bow in the form of Peach Delight who ran a cracking sprint behind the progressive Isingamoya at Scottsville last time out. She will much prefer today’s trip and from a plum draw will be running at Pearl Emblem come the line.
Anton Marcus gets the leg up on Waity Katie for Candice Bass-Robinson and the daughter of Jay Peg has had two outings since arriving in KZN. She showed up well in both and although she makes her poly debut she will not be without her supporters.
It’s a difficult race to call with any certainty but Pearl Emblem’s winning streak could come to an end. Kannemeyer looks to hold the key with his two runners and Peach Delight is taken to get home ahead of Off Ramp with Pearl Emblem and Waity Katie also in the scrum.
Marcus can get the Pick 6 ball rolling aboard Napoli in the third. Glen Kotzen’s gelding has been up against much stronger at recent outings and a two-pound relief in the ratings and a drop in class should make him ultra competitive.
Gingerbread Man won well last time out and a rise in class may not be enough to stop him in the Klinger Mzansi Handicap, first leg of the Jackpot. He seems to have some scope and can follow up in what is not a strong field. Sharp Seattle was doing his best work late when making his poly debut and could prove the biggest threat but a possible upset could come in the form of Singh Is King. The gelding proved extremely difficult at the start of his last intended race, refusing to load before dropping his rider and being withdrawn. He has however, he has quickly dropped 20 points in the ratings and with apprentice Tristan Godden taking a further 2,5kg off his back he could surprise if getting to start.
The Alyson Wright-trained Diamond In The Sky has been lumbered with a high rating from the outset but her form since her debut victory has been a touch disappointing. However, the ratings do tell a story and she does look to have enough scope to win the E Snell & Co Handicap. She has the best of the draw here and should contest the finish. Maggie Muggins shed her maiden at third time of asking and that form has panned out well. She has been a late starter but also appears to have something to come and will be a threat. As will Chill Baby Chill who has her second outing for her new stable and is sure to be better for the run.
By Andrew Harrison
