Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount led throughout on his return in the 31 October Pinnacle but managed only eighth from a wide draw in the Merchants three weeks ago. The 100m shorter trip is much in his favour as it gives his breathing problems less time to have an effect.
“He needed that last race, it was his second run after a rest and I hadn’t galloped him,” says Justin Snaith. “He is not drawn on the outside this time and that is important for him as he hangs. He will run well.”
At last Tuesday’s meeting penetrometer readings suggested that the ground on the inside on the sprint course is still some four per cent faster than in the middle or the outside.
Lord Balmoral (Liesl King)
Lord Balmoral opened at 4-1 with World Sports Betting on Wednesday and by yesterday he was disputing favouritism at 33-10. Significantly he wears blinkers for the first time and Vaughan Marshall reports him in good shape.
Andries Steyn says the same about Power Grid (11-2) who sprang a 28-1 shock in a progress plate last time despite losing ground at the start. But the handicappers have raised him 3kg and it is hard to see him coming out on top in this company after that.
Horse Guards is also an 11-2 shot but you would expect a better price than that for a horse who has been off for nearly five months.
La Favourari (13-2) flopped in the 31 October Pinnacle after winning four off the bounce. He lost ground at the start and was eased in the final furlong because Donovan Dillon could sense that there was something amiss.
“It’s a bit disconcerting that we still don’t really know what was wrong that day although he was coughing afterwards,” says Andre Nel. “I have brought him here for a gallop since and he worked well. Percival (9-1) ran a bit below par last time but at the weights I think he is probably the better horse.”
Kingston Passage has blistering speed and ran a blinder on his first race for nearly six months, losing the lead only 40m from home. He has the second-run-after-a-rest syndrome to overcome but he is probably better than his present handicap mark – almost certainly by more than the kilo he is under sufferance. Interestingly the sa horseracing computer has him beating all except Sergeant Hardy with Power Grid third.
“There is not a lot in the programme for him and we want to see if he is good enough to go anywhere else,” comments Brett Crawford.
Rock Of Africa (11-1) is on a hat-trick and Anthony Andrews has been bringing off bigger shocks than this in recent weeks, while Brutal Force (15-1) has yet to find his form this term but he is the best horse in the race.
By Michael Clower
