Lauderdale raids from her KZN home base
The absence of a genuine standout makes the R2 015 000 BSA Ready To Run Cup a much more open looking contest than the CTS equivalent run later on.
A good colt from the Cape and a Gr1 winning filly raiding from KZN top the handicapper’s official ratings and with neither particularly well drawn, the race is open.
Girls First
Duncan Howells travels with a pair headed by Gr1 Thekwini winner Lauderdale. The daughter of Elusive Fort has put in two decent placed efforts this term and would not have been at peak fitness for either.
She took forever to get going last time when a tame 5,50 lengths third to her stablemate Trini’s Colateral. Muzi Yeni has ridden her at all her 9 starts and knows her well, but it won’t be a cakewalk from her 13 draw.
Piere Strydom rides Lineker
Piere Strydom and Justin Snaith team up with the stakes placed Australian bred Lineker, who should be primed and ready after an encouraging local prep run when just 1,50 lengths behind subsequent Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge winner, Trip To Heaven.
He gave Striker a good feel last time and he will be a popular PA banker for many.
The Captain
Gavin Van Zyl’s Gr3 Protea Stakes winner Redcarpet Captain has not quite recaptured his early promise, although he has a Gr1 runner-up berth to his credit behind Seventh Plain in the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion.
Also running off a 100 rating is Gr1 Zulu Kingdom Golden Explorer winner Chestnuts ‘N Pearls.
The daughter of Horse Chestnut was a little flat when going down to Miss Varlicious when drifting into the black from an odds-on call a her last start.
She was beaten just under a length by Lauderdale in the Thekwini and it remains to be seen whether she can maintain her 2yo Gr1 form.
Brian Wiid trained Dutch Harbour is yet to win on the turf proper and hasn’t pulled a happy draw for his enthusiastic owners Steve Reid and Rod Matthyese. But the R50 000 son of Windrush owes them nothing and, like the rest, has a ticket and a chance to pick up a decent cheque.
Little Wrong
Sean Tarry – big day
Sean Tarry’s R600 000 Fort Wood colt Baylisiana has drawn beautifully at 2 and has done nothing wrong in 4 runs.
He showed good pace last time from a poor drawn in an MR 80 Handicap when going down 3,40 lengths to the well thought of Jolie Roger.
The second of the Duncan Howell’s duo is Basil and Rani Naidoo’s Argonaut colt, Kitty’s Destiny.
Another great buy at R50 000, the Balmoral Stud product only has polytrack credentials but is another who will be throwing the kitchen sink at the big guns.
It’s a race to go as wide as possible for Pick 6 purposes!
