Andrew Harrison
With race meetings coming thick and fast over the holiday season, local trainers are running out of suitable horses as punters face a seven-race card on the poly today. However, it is a card that punters will need to do their homework.
The programme is headed by a B Stakes over 1200m where Glen Kotzen’s runner Circumbendibus tries for a winning hattrick. He has won comfortably at his last two but has gone up 12 points in the handicap for those wins. However, both were impressive and he can go in again. A likely danger is Mvelelo who is hunting his fourth straight win. He got a five-point shunt up the handicap for his last effort which could be enough to halt his winning streak. Visiting Wild At War is the first KZN runner for the sister combination of Candice and Tammy Dawson and is their only runner on the day. The gelding has been making steady recent improvement and has come down in the ratings to what could be a more competitive mark. Buttercup Baby is a smart filly with a handy weight who goes well this course and distance. The form of her last win has been franked and one can expect another forward showing.
Best bet on a tricky card could come in the first where Mike and Mathew de Kock saddle Strutting. She was caught in the last strides last time out and drops back in trip. She looks the part in this mostly modest field.
Of the balance, Harpa was a close-up second last run without the blinkers but they are back on and this trip should suit. Anemie has patchy form but has shown some form over course and distance.
The second is a competitive handicap. Rafiki returns from a break and goes well on the poly. He was close-up under a big weight last start and has a better galloping weight here. Ibutho was due to run last Wednesday but won well last time out and can follow up depending on that latest outing. Stable companion Winter Waves meets him at level weights and should be able to turn the tables given their last meeting. Another Alyson Wright runner Ultra Quick is back on his favourite surface and with a 4kg claimer up could be the stable pick.
The Pick 6 starts in the third where Isivivane finished second best last run in the Christmas Handicap but goes well on the poly. He steps up in trip but should see it out. Sundance Kid was back to best when an easy winner last time out. He goes well on the poly and again has the 4kg claimer aboard. Gotta Go Eddie was a touch disappointing last run but now has a light weight from the best of the draw and can do better. Eventidor has come good of late as he bids for a hattrick. He is up in class but should still be competitive. One to watch in the market is Star In Motion. Back in KZNB after some modest performances in Cape Town, he only has 52.5kg to shoulder and Cape form is often much stronger than local.
The fourth is a competitive sprint with many in with chances. Adam Azzie is still hunting his first KZN winner but it could come in the form of Summer Winter. She has the widest draw to overcome but has had two runs back from a break and should now be at her peak. She has also run well on the poly. Tienie Prinsloo saddles Miss Munroe who was disappointing first run for her new stable after two Highveld wins. The compression mask is back on and she can make amends. Louis Goosen has two chances. Arverni Princess who steps up in class but only got a one-point raise in the handicap for her last win. She only has 49.5kg to shoulder and is over her optimum trip. Stable companion Malshana Mou was a recent maiden winner and has a hefty handicap rating. However, she goes well over course and distance and can follow up.
The fifth is wide open. Grand Force took an age to shed his maiden but followed up with a solid handicap effort. He has a 4kg claimer aboard and should be competitive in a modest line-up. Cappellino was a neck behind Grand Force when last they met and meet on the same handicap terms and there should be very little between the two. Axis Power is lightly raced and has dropped significantly in the handicap and could be the surprise package while Trafalgar Square has not been far back at recent outings and goes well this course and distance.
The last is another open contest but although Izibulo has the widest draw he has come to hand of late when taking on stronger and should be a big runner. Copacabana was a game winner over the distance last time out and she only got a three-point raise in the handicap that has been offset by a 2.5kg claimer. However, there should be little between her, Blind Speed, Futano and Amafort who all should be considered in exotic calculations.
