red rover (Nkosi Hlophe)
Some that fall into that category at Greyville tonight are Red Rover, Black Jaguar and Petite Master, all three due to line up in the Quest Shipping Handicap over 1600m.
Red Rover has always given the impression that he was more capable than his record suggested but given a four-month break and a switch to poly seems to have brought the best out of him. Alistair Gordon’s runner found some inspired market support last time out and his supporters landed a nice touch as Red Rover made all the running to win as he liked.
The win did not go unpunished as the handicappers ratcheted him up seven points but even that may not be enough to stop him notching another victory.
Both Petite Master and Black Jaguar have done well on the poly and one can expect another couple of decent efforts from them but the two more fancied to trouble Red Rover are Mickey Gossiper and Cage Fighter. The former shed his maiden first up on the poly and followed up with a decent effort in his first outing in handicap company and is likely to prefer this longer trip.
The lightly raced Cage Fighter enjoyed the sting out of the ground when having his first start in eight months at Scottsville last month and the poly track could bring out the best in him.
In the opening leg of the Pick 6 Kom Naidoo’s runner Escovitch has shown up well enough in three outings to suggest a big chance in what looks to be fairly modest company. His best form has been on the poly and the step up in trip should be to his liking.
Golden Mirabilis and Scrum Half could fight out the fifth, a tricky handicap, although Michael Roberts has hit form with a vengeance in recent weeks and where ever Scrum Half finishes, Stampede should be in clos attendance.
Buffalo Bill can have a change of fortune in the fifth when he is dropped back to a sprint. He has made the pace at his last two only to be run out of it late and with a stronger rider aboard he could just hang on this time.
Lady Of Kildare (Nkosi Hlophe)
City Of Athens is another to have shown improved form on the poly when staying on nicely behind Nisa’s Love over the course and distance earlier this month. She had patchy form before that and the more forgiving surface could see her home ahead of Dirtydealin Mama and Time Marches On.
Lady Of Kildare could round off a memorable evening for Sean Tarry with Lady Of Kildare in the mix for the last. The daughter of Captain Al had some fair form on the Vaal sand where she was running off a rating of 81. Her first start on the poly, where horses run off their turf ratings, Lady of Kildare started off a 60. After her five-length romp that was upped eight points but she could still prove better than rated.
Since re-locating to KZN Weiho Marwing’s runners have yet to miss the boards and Bluebell Glade could prove a major threat. She took on stronger on the Vaal turf last run and although she has the widest draw to contend with she could prove the surprise package.
