Vaal-based Johan Janse van Vuuren has successfully found a sound base in the tranquil surrounds of the Ashburton training centre from which to raid Champions Season and he saddles ten runners at today’s Greyville poly track meeting where he looks to be in for a good afternoon.
Van Vuuren has also tempted champion jockey Gavin Lerena to delay his return to the UK to partner New Predator in Saturday’s Gr1 Mercury Sprint and also to try and make amends on the smart gelding Doosra in the Racing. It’s A Rush Handicap that heads today’s card.
Doosra has lost his way a little after a barn-storming start to his career and has dropped in the handicap from a career high of 98 to today’s 94, two pounds lower than when he was heavily supported in the market to win the eThekwini Sprint run on July day.
New Predator (Nkosi Hlophe)
He finished six lengths adrift of the winner Bishop’s Bounty but it was a race not without incident. Doosra clipped heels coming out of the gate for which Keagan de Melo picked up a suspension but more was to come as he was never out of trouble in the straight after running into serious traffic.
With a plum draw, he looks capable of making amends today but he does face a competitive field.
Buffalo Soldier is another that has lost his way a touch but has been up against some strong opposition since returning from a break in April. This will be his third run after that rest and now slightly down in class he looks a serious threat to Doosra.
Joey Ramsden obviously has a high opinion of Macduff after running him in the Sun Met and also entering him for the Vodacom Durban July, so back to a sprint for his last start, many can be forgiven for thinking that the 1200m trip would prove too short. However, fitted with blinkers, he finished like an express train and ran out a smart winner. Today’s seven furlongs would appear to be more to his liking and the Australian import is another to consider along with Pillar Of Hercules and Never Settle.
Palladium has been a frustrating horse to follow, having run up a string of promising performances but not following up when expected. So, although he is struggling for his next win he takes a big drop in class when he runs in the last and Charles Laird’s runner can finally get it right. Dennis Drier is involved in a tight tussle with Duncan Howells for the KZN trainer’s championship and he will be looking to Friend Request to cut back on his rival’s narrow lead. Friend Request was a convincing winner over course and distance last time out and has a strong chance of following up at Palladium’s expense.
Janse van Vuuren can start his run in the second where he is triple-handed. Picture Me is a first timer by Elusive Fort and White Winter a filly by Warm White Night, but stable companion Virga has had two outings, the last time finishing a distant runner-up to subsequent Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship winner Brave Mary. Unless there is a springer amongst the first timers that form looks solid enough.
Van Vuuren saddles Shakespeare Inlove in the second. She found some market support when making a promising enough debut and should come on lengths from that effort.
A quick Van Vuuren treble is on the cards with Hard Ball in the third. The Australian import has been knocking at the door for some time now and steps up to what could prove to be a more suitable trip. Two possible dangers are Roy Had Enough and Air Salute, the pair finishing within a length of each other last time out.
By Andrew Harrison
