Tough Call

Drum Star Stakes (L) over 1800m at Turffontein (inner) on Saturday

All eyes on Friday evening will no doubt be on our globetrotting former champion sprinter Mythical Flight who makes his return in a Pinnacle Stakes. In terms of prize money and prestige though, the bill topper this weekend is the listed Drum Star Stakes on Saturday, writes Steve Furnish.
Heading the weights is last seasons’ Gauteng Derby winner Bouquet-Garni. Highly regarded by former trainer Mike De Kock earlier in his career, Bouquet-Garni has, interestingly, gained three of his four career wins over today’s distance. He’s been keeping very good company since winning that prestigious event last April, but has now failed to fill a place in the Trifecta in each of his last seven starts. He was far from disgraced behind Rudra last time out though, and he is now facing weaker than he has for quite a while. He could surprise if finding his best form.

Wild Card
Representing the stable of Mike De Kock here is the bottom weight Wild Kodiak. Formerly with Basil Marcus in Cape Town, this son of Western Winter progressed nicely during the course of 2009 and fully deserved his two wins at the end of the year. He was well beaten by two of today’s opponents when making his local debut last month, but he is undoubtedly better than that effort and racing off just 52kg here, he is not without a chance.

Killaridge
One of the few horses to improve his rating after crossing the Limpopo, the former Zimbabwe campaigner Killaridge showed his mettle when winning the Supersport 2200m at Greyville on July Day. His form since then looks a little in and out, but then he has in the main been campaigning against top sorts. He did show his well being in no uncertain terms last time out though when beating the strongly fancied Dan De Lago, when out at the weights in a Pinnacle Plate over today’s distance. Killaridge also beat Regal Ransom and Zorba’s Tale fair and square in that race and on that effort alone, he has to be a serious runner here.

Mr Consistent
Amazingly, Zorba’s Tale has only missed the Quartet four times in twenty starts. He’s as consistent as they come and he has won over today’s course and distance. He was only beaten 1,1 lengths by Killaridge in that Pinnacle Stakes last time out and although that one was finishing the stronger, Zorba’s Tale is, strictly by the book, weighted to turn the tables. Zorba’s Tale now gets log leader Anton Marcus in the saddle. He should be involved.

Powerful Coupling
In form trainer Sean Tarry is represented by all of Regal Ransom, Royal Captive and Golden Chariot and together they form a very powerful coupling. Regal Ransom is the highest rated of the three by the official handicapper and with Piere Strydom on board, many I’m sure will see him as the stable elect. He’s at the top of his game right now and he did win his only previous start over today’s course and distance. He was only picked off late by Killaridge last time out and now 0,5kg better off with that one here, he clearly has strong claims.
Golden Chariot has shown considerable improvement since returning from an eight month layoff five weeks ago, winning all three starts. He beat the four timer seeking Call To Combat fair and square last time out and the in form Johnny Geroudis stays with him.
Royal Captive has a very nice turn of foot on his day and he was running on best of all when beaten less than two lengths by Iron Curtain over 1600m last time out. He has in the main been campaigned over further though, and it is interesting to note that he is yet to win over a distance shorter than 1950m.  

Course Specialist
The 4yo Iron Curtain has gained four of his five career wins at this circuit, three of them over today’s distance. He’s come to hand nicely since returning from a two month break and he did win very comfortably over 1600m here last time out. He now has his third run after the rest and could well improve further.

Ready For Battle
A son of Announce, Call To Combat went on to complete a smart hattrick after shedding his maiden tag in November and all three of those wins were gained over today’s distance. He was running on strongly when beaten three lengths by Golden Chariot over 2000m last time out and he does now meet that one on 2kg better terms. His style of racing is well suited to the inner track and he could yet still improve plenty. He sets off from a fair draw here and is another who should be involved in the finish.

Trojan
The 5yo Trojan has mainly been campaigned over 2000m and has indeed gained all of his wins over that distance. He’s been consistent throughout his career and interestingly, he hasn’t missed the frame in his three starts over today’s distance. He’s competitively handicapped at the moment and setting off from a good draw should be in the shake up.

Still Going Strong
The veteran E-Fuel has been a tremendous servant to connections and even at the ripe old age of eight, he’s still performing very consistently. He fully deserved his win in the non black type Flamingo Park Handicap last time out and he did gain his last win on turf over today’s distance. He’s sure to give of his best again, but he is up against a number of promising younger horses here and they do have much more scope for improvement.

Not Today
Since returning from a six and a half month layoff in July, Close As Oak has failed to finish better than sixth in five starts. All of which were in handicaps. He’s only been dropped two points by the official handicapper in the interim and having been reported as coughing last time out, he’ll surely leave the stalls as the rank outsider of the twelve horse party.

About The Pace
They don’t usually hang around at the inner track and although the race isn’t bursting at the seems with early speed, a fair pace is expected. Iron Curtain and Regal Ransom both go particularly well at this circuit and look sure to be in the shake up when the race begins in earnest. In what is clearly a very competitive contest, picking the winner is a tough call. On the day though, my vote narrowly, goes to Regal Ransom.