Consistent late-runner Tetelestai is no spring chicken but could enjoy the extra 200m
A shift in the national focus for the weekend sees a welcome change of spotlight with the Fairview polytrack hosting the R100 000 Cradock Place Stakes to be run over 1200m on Friday. Three of last term’s local champions line up in the non black-type race and unravelling the puzzle looks a tough task.
There are three champion graduates of last season’ awards honour roll, but that trophy won’t be giving them any special benefits or start when they jump just after 4 pm on Friday.
Accolades
The Alan Greeff-trained Antonius Pius filly Yoshie was crowned Champion 3yo Filly and will be looking to up her game after being well beaten out of the money at her only start this season.
The former Dolfie Maeder, now Grant Paddock-trained Lundy’s Liability gelding Oats was awarded the honours as Champion 3yo colt / gelding and his two outings (both on the poly) this season have been encouraging.
The third of the ‘champion’ trio is the Machlachlan McKenzie-trained Nacht Musiek gelding Nile Symphony, who took the innovative award as the biggest earner on the artificial track for last season. He has had two starts this season – a win and then a dismal effort three weeks ago.
Weight Bands
This particular race is for all Horses rated a net 70 and higher.
Benchmark at 61,0 kg = 100 or more
Benchmark at 59,5 kg = 95 to 99
Benchmark at 58,0 kg = 90 to 94
Benchmark at 56,5 kg = 85 to 89
Benchmark at 55,0 kg = 80 to 84
Benchmark at 53,5 kg = 75 to 79
Benchmark at 52,0 kg = 70 to 74
Weight for age allowances are applied where applicable to a minimum weight of 52kgs as well as a sex allowance of 2,5 kgs for Fillies and Mares, subject to a minimum weight of 50kgs.
Hardknocker
Topping the weights is Hekkie Strydom’s Qui Danzig soldier Russian Mig.
The 6yo was a very promising youngster and his ten win career haul speaks volumes of a horse who can gallop on his day. While the polytrack no doubt has contributed to his recent form resurgence, with 3 wins in the bag from his last 7 runs, it is worth noting that one of those were on the turf.
Russian Mig beat three of those he meets here, at his last start.
That was over 200m shorter, and we can only suggest that Russian Mig will be more effective over this trip, and he will have to be as he has to give a bit of weight to those behind him.
He beat Tetelestai by 1,30 lengths (that one is a kilo better off), Yoshie by 2,30 lengths (she now 3kgs better off) and Insearchofthesun by 3,55 lengths (he now a kilo better off.
Jacques Strydom’s Tetelestai is an 8yo and has his 59th outing.
An eleven-time winner, the son of Bezrin has adapted well to PE after a solid career on the turf in KZN.
While the indications are that he is in essence a 1000m specialist, he has tended to relax and kick on late on the polytrack. The extra 200m should suit him down to the ground and Francois Herholdt will be on a high after his four winners at Kimberley on Monday.
Peak Run
Oats is very consistent
Oats look set for a peak run from a good draw and excellent build up form.
He has won four races in the year that he was sold out of Cape Town, and looks equally at home on turf and the sand.
He shifted and was cramped last time when going down only a half length to Tara Laing’s promising new kid, Sir Duke, on the poly 1300m.
Oats finished 0,25 lengths behind Brother In Arms there and 5,25 lengths ahead of Albrarakah.
He is a half kilo better off with Brother In Arms, and a kilo worse off with Albarakah.
John Finlayson’s Brother In Arms has pulled a pole position draw and with a galloping weight under JP van der Merwe could be set to win again.
The Summerhill Stud-bred 5yo son of Cataloochee has proven very consistent of late and his placed efforts at his last three starts to three above average sorts, suggests that he could produce a big challenge here – even though it is probably marginally on the short side.
Fairer Sex
Yoshie is the only filly in the race
The talented Yoshie is the only fill in the line-up.
She may have needed her last run after a two month break when fading out to finish 2,30 lengths behind Russian Mig.
She will strip fitter here and with regular pilot Greg Cheyne back in the saddle and the weight swing of 3ks in her favour, she looks capable of putting her best foot forward.
The Glen Kotzen yard is on fire at the moment and Lunga Gila sends out the Almushtarak gelding, Albarakah.
The biggest chink in the ill-fated Big City Life’s half brother’s armour is his inconsistency, although he was coughing last time when 6 lengths behind Sir Duke.
He won his penultimate start over the course and distance in a handicap when beating Silent Partner.
River Music
Nile Symphony could atone for his last effort
Nile Symphony has drawn widest of all, but enjoys this surface .
The 5yo gelding won two on the trot on the poly 1000m before an inexplicable flop at his last start over the 1200m when dropping out to run 8,40 lengths behind So You Think.
He comes in with a galloping 52 kgs, but is under sufferance and will need to raise his game again.
Justin Snaith’s Money For Love has produced three respectable polytrack efforts, although he does appear more at ease on the turf.
His third placed effort two lengths behind Frederick Fox at his last start is not looking very strong after that one ran a poor race last Friday in the Racing Association Plate.
But he is not without hope and capable of a big effort if things go his way.
Longshots
Another horse who has failed to go on with his early promise is the Silvano gelding, Sedge.
On breeding (he is out of a Rakeen mare), one would think that he would go twice the trip, but he proved himself over the sprints, running to as high as a 106.
These days he runs off an 80 and is really battling to find any sense of form again.
The Tamburlaine gelding Burlaine Forest appears to prefer further than this and takes forever to get into his races. He is drawn wide out at 10 and we would rather have another look at him over 400m further.
