On Alert. The smart Windrush gelding Code Red could get back to winning ways when he runs in the Flamingo Park Sprint on Monday
The Northern Cape hosts its first meeting of 2014 when the speed merchants clash in a 1200m dash on the sand on Monday. The R100 000 Flamingo Park Sprint has attracted a competitive field, including Jay Peg’s first stakes winner, Olympic Owen. But topweight Code Red may ensure that the majority of the stake remains in the local economy.
Monday will also be a classic blue one as many fall back into the routine of work after the rest and relaxation of the year end holiday. With bank accounts also under pressure after the festive extravagances, the bumper Flamingo Park programme will hopefully provide some fiscal relief for the astute and fortunate flutterer.
Great Run
The non black type feature sees fourteen runners going to post. Cape based owner Paul Barrett’s turquoise blue, purple and white silks have enjoyed a great run in Kimberley, and they should be to the fore again as Sarel Von Willingh Smit sends a strong coupling to post.
Topweight Code Red is a multiple course and distance winner and has been a revelation since arriving in the Northern Cape as a modest one time winner. Now with nine wins to his credit, he is a serious contender in this type of contest and seldom runs a bad race. He is also 2,5kgs better off with the consistent Sudden Surprise after being beaten six lengths at his last outing. Code Red is likely to have benefitted by the short break and could be the one to beat. His year older stablemate Mr Vindaloo is also very game but may prefer the 1000m straight at this track.
Visitors
Three Gauteng trainers have been lured to the diamond dust bowl for a bite at the cake. Brett Webber saddles the Argentinian bred Hang Fire, while David Rahilly is represented by the four time winning Black Minnaloushe gelding, Pinot Noir.
Hang Fire appears to have lost his form recently, but showed good ability on the Vaal sand after relocating from KZN. He has won four races over 1000m and once over 1200m. He could be just about anything if adapting to local conditions. Pinot Noir could be the dark horse in the race.
He will be ridden by the wily Sherman Brown and could prove some value as a proven sand performer. He has his first Flamingo Park run since a solid third in a strong MR 94 Handicap at the Vaal behind the well performed Storm Surf.
Olympic Medal
Trainer Corne Spies holds potentially the strongest hand of the visiting gang with the 2013 Listed Protea Stakes winner Olympic Owen heading his duo. Olympic Owen has his first run as a 3yo since going unplaced in the SA Nursery at end of April. He won his debut at Flamingo Park over 1000m by a runaway 10,75 lengths and then ran second in the Storm Bird Stakes, before a cracking win when beating the speedy Jimmi Choo in the Listed Protea Stakes. His 36 week break is obviously a matter of concern, but if fit, he could challenge.
Preferences
His stablemate Velvet Verona is another interesting runner. The 3yo son of National Assembly has won two races, and appears to be better on the sand. He has run his last three races on turf, and showed good pace when fading to finish five lengths behind Stavinsky over the Turffontein 1160m last Saturday. Back on his preferred platform, he could well go close.
No Surprise
Tienie Prinsloo’s Kahal gelding Sudden Surprise is in the form of his life and has won his last three starts, all over the course and distance. Last time out he beat Derbaas by 3,25 lengths going away, despite his saddle slipping. While closer to Code Red in the weights, he could be equal to the challenge and will be ridden again by Muzi Yeni. Dorrie Sham’s Captain Al gelding Here I Am is another in good form, but has drawn at 14 and will have to be at his best to win from there.
Friday’s Child
Like Here I Am, Cliffie Miller’s Woza Friday also runs in the Van Huyssteen dayglo yellow silks and is another to draw badly. It is worth noting though that he meets Sudden Surprise on 3kgs better terms after a 3,50 length course and distance beating last time. Vernon Rugg’s coupling of Varsity Star and Boston Legal have not drawn well, and are both realistically a few lengths better over 1000m.
Decision Time
The draw is a serious consideration and the chief protagonists are drawn in the right place. The pace is likely to be on from the break and this could give a runner like Woza Friday an opportunity of overcoming his adversity. We are going with a fresh Code Red to get back to winning ways and beat Pinot Noir, with Sudden Surprise and Woza Friday in a scramble for the back end of quartets.
