The Royal Rumba gets the cheek pieces today
Weiho Marwing has engaged SA champion jockey S’manga ‘Bling’ Khumalo to ride his consistent Mambo In Seattle gelding The Royal Rumba again at the Vaal today. The astute trainer tries the cheek pieces this time round as he attempts to correct a bad habit of being a tardy starter.
“One thing you can’t give away on the Vaal sand is start,” confirmed Marwing, who said he declared The Royal Rumba in cheek pieces for the mile R100 000 Conditions Plate as a variation on the blinkers, in which he has run at his last six starts.
Rides Again
A major positive for many punters will be the fact that S’manga Khumalo stays loyal to the 3yo gelding – the top rider is bang in form and hungry for winners on every track in the country.
Khumalo was on record recently confirming that he had decided in February to put his head down and chase the jockey title again.
“I was doing quite well for Sean Tarry at the stage and his horses were really flying. I thought -‘I’m still young and I’m still fresh’. From now on I must try and travel everywhere as I did last season and hopefully it will pay off.”
Khumalo’s determination, natural ability and confidence often translates to a winning advantage and this could be the catalyst to a winning turn for The Royal Rumba – who is a decent racehorse when things go his way.
Bling was aboard at his MR 89 Handicap course and distance effort last time when, despite hanging, The Royal Rumba stayed on well to run third and 2,70 lengths behind Lavendar Landscape.
He meets his conqueror on 4kgs better terms and if he gets away on terms, he must go close.
Old Soldier
Uncle Tommy – talented, but not at best at moment
Marwing also saddles the old soldier Uncle Tommy, who has shown signs of wear and tear at his last two starts.
He was not striding out when running 9,80 lengths behind Stavinsky in his last start over the course and distance – and now has to carry topweight of 63kgs – less replacement rider Callan Murray’s claim.
A fit and sound Uncle Tommy could eat this lot for breakfast, but he cannot be fancied on current form.
Lavendar Landscape beat Olympic Bolt over the course and distance last time in the race under discussion, but he now meets his opposition on a weight disadvantage.
The 4yo son of Antonius Pius enjoy ths course and distance – but will need to improve further.
Spies Duo
Kiss Me Hardy – has his issues
Corne Spies runs Kiss Me Hardy and All The Bids. Both are regular racers and very fit and the better of the two looks to be the grey Kiss Me Hardy.
The son of Captain Al has his issues, but improved slightly on the turf last time when only 6,20 lengths behind Platinum Jet.
On his best turf form, he looks admirably suited to the mile and from a good draw will be given every chance by jockey Fransie Naude.
His versatile stablemate All The Bids is drawn against the rail but carries all of 61 kgs and has been out of sorts of late. He was scratched from his penultimate schedule start in Zimbabwe with a sprained pastern and then showed his usual pace last time, before fading right out behind Noble Star.
Captain Haddock showed no pace last time after going down narrowly to Kiss Me Hardy in Kimberley at his penultimate start.
He has decent earlier form on this surface but could be held by the Spies grey, if that one runs to better ability.
Down In Weight
Form Up – down in weights and must have a shout
Form Up finished 9 lengths behind Lavendar Landscape but was reported to be not striding out post-race.
He drops 7kgs in the weights and if over his soundness issues, must have a shout, as a runner from a stable who gets them to win on this surface.
The Stan Ferreira trained 3yo filly Royal Trip was a sensational last gasp winner of the Listed Nkosazana Stakes at her penultimate outing but then ran poorly in the Listed Queen Of The Sand behind The Angelus.
She will find this tougher against the males, and unlike Khumalo, her young jockey only rode one winner in May – and has not had an easy time of it this season.
Tyrone Zackey’s two-time winner Iwo Jima tries the sand for the first time after two poor runs.
He carries a paperweight courtesy of Mathew Thackeray’s claim and could improve lengths if he takes to the surface.
Battle Royale
The race looks likely to develop into a battle between The Royal Rumba and Kiss Me Hardy – if the latter is on top of his game.
Lavendar Landscape may be improving again and he could lift his game further to show his last win was no flash in the pan.
