Confirming The Form

Autumn Sand Sprint over 1200m at Vaal on Tuesday

Heading up the four card program in midweek in the Autumn Sand Sprint at the Vaal on Tuesday. In his heyday, the 2007 Emerald Cup winner Narc would no doubt have been a strong favourite here, but such has his fortunes changed since a fruitless spell in Dubai that he can only find a place on the reserve bench, writes Steve Furnish
A winner of ten of his first fourteen starts on the surface, Narc was once rated 109. Since his return though, he’s been but a shadow of his former self and although he has now been dropped 15 points by the official handicapper and did show signs of life in his latest start on turf, he’s perhaps best just watched for now.

In Reserve
Also on the bench is fellow 7yo Red Mist. He’s gained five of his six wins over today’s course and distance. He was well beaten on his return from an eight month layoff last time out though, and as with Narc, his better days could be behind him.

Course Specialists
As well as Red Mist, in form trainer Roy Magner saddles the course specialists Fuzzy Cuzzy and Phunyuka. Fuzzy Cuzzy is as game as they come and is sure to give of his best. Having not won in any of his last fourteen starts though (sand or turf), the handicapper does look to have his measure. This season’s Emerald Cup winner Phunyuka on the other hand has improved nicely on the surface and after a spell of racing on the turf he showed his well being in no uncertain terms on sand last time out when flying up late behind Hurricane Force. Phunyuka is very well drawn here and looks sure to fight it out.

Fair Brutus
On his day, the 6yo Fair Brutus is more than capable of winning a race like this. He’s not proven to be the soundest of characters though and returning from an eight month break here, he’ll more than likely need the run.

St John
Trainer St John Gray is a master when it comes to training winners on the sand, and he is represented here by Sandy Beach. A winner of seven of her eleven starts on the surface, Sandy Beach is unbeaten in four outings on sand (two of them over today’s distance) since finishing fourth in the prestigious Emerald Cup six months ago. Sandy Beach was beaten fair and square by Phunyuka in that event and she is 1kg worse off at the weights here. She has undoubtedly improved since then though. Expect a bold effort.

Upset Potential
Fearless Gun ran the race of his life when a runner up in this seasons’ Emerald Cup and he did appear to be finishing the strongest over the final 400m. He’s not raced on sand since and he was reported lame on the off fore in his latest start on turf in December. He seems unlikely to be at his peak on that and he would really prefer further. He is now 1kg better off at the weights with Phunyuka though and if he is fully wound up, he could upset.

Geoff’s Bid
Trainer Geoff Woodruff saddles both Waitangi and Norquinco. Waitangi won the non black type Lightning Stakes over 1000m at this circuit in his penultimate start and he does have scope for further improvement. He has been reported lame on the off fore in his outings either side of that win though and he hasn’t got the best of the draw.
In our book Norquinco is well weighted on best form. He’s been very sparingly raced since winning over 1450m here July though and on current form he does seem very unlikely.

Dark Horse
The dark horse of the race is Lochlorien. This 3yo son of Var has shown flashes of real ability and he did have three of today’s runners behind him when getting the better of the very useful sand performer Scarlet Letter over 1450m on his latest visit to this circuit. Usually one to show good early toe, Lochlorien has a good draw and he also has scope for improvement.

Deep Water
The Fort Wood gelding Deep Water is as consistent as they come and he has won one of his two starts at this circuit. He does look well held by Phunyuka on his latest start though and setting off from the widest draw he clearly has no easy task.

Flamingo Trader
The former Eastern Cape campaigner Copper Trader goes very well on the sand at Flamingo Park, but in nine starts at this circuit the best he’s been able to achieve is two well beaten third placings!

Boxing On
Procurer and Ryan’s A Lion are both fair handicappers in their own right and if at there best should be thereabouts. Neither has found the winners’ enclosure for quite a while now though and on their most recent showings on sand they do look well held here.

About The Pace
With most preferring to race up with the speed or handy, the pace looks sure to be on. The only filly in the race Sandy Beach should be right there when push comes to shove, and at the top of her game right now, I expect her to fight it out. Phunyuka did have her measure in the Emerald Cup though and with a pull at the weights to boot, he should have her measure again.