Lunar Rush, the only horse in South Africa to break her maiden in a million-rand race, can score just her third victory when she runs in an 88 MR Handicap at Greyville this evening. But the handicappers are catching up and things may not be quite as easy tonight although she does look to have scope for further improvement.

Duncan Howells is cautiously optimistic of his filly’s chances. “She’s in good form and has improved on her last start. But,” he cautioned, “she is worse off at the weight’s with Kannemeyer’s filly.”

Red Moon At Night, although seldom out of the money in recent months, has been battling to register another victory and was beaten two lengths into second place by Lunar Rush on the Greyville turf last time out.

They switch to the poly this evening but both have shown that they are comfortable on the surface.

Lunar Rush was given a five-point penalty for that last success whilst second-placed Red Moon At Night escaped unscathed but with apprentice Eric Ngwane claiming his 1.5kg, Lunar Rush is only 2kg worse off. Theory has it that Red Moon At Night should finish a lot closer but if Lunar Rush has come on from that run as indicated then the result could remain the same. Incidentally, Howells, who takes few prisoners when it comes to jockeys, was full of praise for Ngwane’s ride on Amazon King at Greyville last Friday. “I thought he rode a cracker.”

However, Ngwane owes his place aboard Dawn Calling to the fact that there were no jockeys available which gives the apprentice an opportunity of a first feature victory.

Howells has a second string to his bow in Accidental Tourist but was less confident of her chances. “She will battle at the weights,” he said.

On a card that ‘boasts’ five maiden races, the Michael Roberts-trained Cabinda looks the obvious choice in the card opener but the son of Seventh Rock has the unenviable record of having played second fiddle in his last five outings which casts some doubt on that form leaving the door open for the likes of Ground Breaker and Raw Courage.

The former has improved with every outing and was doing his best work late behind Interferometer over course and distance last time out. Ground Breaker has also pulled a plum draw at two while Raw Courage has to do it from gate 14. Lezeanne Forbes’s runner took some interference when behind Interferometer and Ground Breaker after starting favourite. His best effort came over course and distance behind Newyorkstateofmind and that form has panned out well.

Arran Isles is another possible for the Kannemeyer yard where she is sure to start a short priced favourite in the second. She took a wander in the market at her last start but came on late for second. None of the opposition are likely to get their names on jam tins.

Hard working Marco van Rensburg has taken advantage of the dearth of jockeys over this holiday period and has been busy jetting around the country. From the Vaal yesterday, to Greyville tonight, Turffontein tomorrow and back to Greyville on Sunday. His two best rides tonight could come in the third where he partners Aznerak for Colin Scott and Plymouth Rock in the last for Doug Campbell.

Aznerak has come well under Van Rensburg, finishing fourth at long odds on his first ride on the filly and then a close-up second last time out. She has a lot in her favour here although she also has plenty of opposition.

With Stuart Randolph out of action after finally having a troublesome hip replaced, Van Rensburg takes over on the home-bred Plymouth Rock. The gelding has caught the eye in both starts and with cheek pieces on from an inside gate he can round off the year on a winning note for punters.

By Andrew Harrison