Now here’s something unusual. A Gr2 race for 3yo’s at level weights. Very different to the Selangor Cup as that had conditions attached. Confused or not, the R500 000 Gr2 Dingaans is a stomping ground for some great horses and there must be something hot amongst this lot.
Abashiri – bad draw and fitness in doubt
The tinkering with tradition is not something that sits well with genuine racing people and the little storm that has erupted over SA horseracing’s new view of weight for age has been well covered.
We are following the story with interest – both for it’s consequences and for the fact that it was done so sneakily.
Let’s focus on the racing.
We saw at Kenilworth last Saturday that assessment of 3yo races can be a tough and costly pursuit for punters. And while there may be factors that came into play, the performances of Seventh Plain in the Lanzerac RTR Stakes and Muwaary in the Selangor Cup, are reminders that we must play cautiously.
Mike Azzie – rates this one
Mike Azzie’s exciting Go Deputy gelding Abashiri is a case in point.
Rated at 109, he has the field stone cold on his official rating. But, and it is a big but, he has not run for 17 weeks since chasing Rabada home in the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes.
Considering Abashiri’s suspect fitness, the fact that he has drawn 12 and the reality that Rabada was beaten easily by Champagne Haze in the Emperors Palace RTR Cup, then we may have to take some ‘outsurance’ to stay in the exotics.
Justin Snaith’s Lineker scooped the cash pool in the BSA RTR Cup last time when beating the filly Crystal Glamour. It was a good effort since he missed the jump, but the form of some of those behind him does not make it a great win in terms of references.
Lineker – progressive, but how strong is the form?
He is rated a good few points inferior to Abashiri and considering his run in the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes, that may be a fair assessment.
Dom Zaki won this race with National Spirit, who just stayed the mile, and he finds himself in another distance question equation with his impressive hulk of a Toreador gelding, Bull Valley.
Zaki confirmed that Bull Valley’s last run in a Pinnacle Plate was not supposed to be his prep, but he was forced into that after he bolted before the Graham Becks Stakes.
Bull Valley was beaten 3 lengths by Noah From Goa, to whom he conceded 5kgs and this will be a different ball game.
Zaki believes his charge will stay and says that he will be at peak fitness after his third run following a rest.
Noah From Goa – faces Bull Valley on tougher terms
Noah From Goa is rumoured to be one of MDK’s best 3yo’s and has won 3 of his 4 starts rather comfortably. He looks ahead of the handicapper still off his 95 rating and the son of Tiger Ridge will have his supporters.
His stablemate Jubilee Line is a real looker and was beaten by the talented older horse Save The Rhino in a great post-maiden effort last time. He looks a typical De Kock dark horse.
Unbelievable Chad makes the return trip to Johannesburg from his KZN home base after stopping late when 3,60 lengths off Muwaary in the Graham Beck Stakes.
He jumped keenly there and Striker battled to control him in running.
He has had a lot of travelling, but the road has been well travelled by the Lafferty team in years gone by.
Johan Janse Van Vuuren’s New Predator was a most impressive maiden winner last time when trying a mile for the first time. The son of New Approach is out to emulate his stablemate Unparalleled who shocked in this event last year.
Sean Tarry – big day
Sean Tarry’s coupling of Rikitikitana and Malak El Moolook look to be contenders for top honours at best.
The latter ran an eyecatching third in the Graham Beck Stakes, and though Muwaary failed to frank that at Kenilworth on Saturday, he must not be discriminated against.
Rikitikitana has a helluva impressive turn of foot when things go his way and this son of Toreador comes out of the softer climes of KZN. He should relish the Turffontein run in.
This seems a race to possibly go wide and safe in the Pick 6 and jackpots.
It’s a case of stick the neck out and banker Abashiri – or put in six or seven runners and reduce your fractions. Mike Azzie and Anton Marcus are a hot team on any given Saturday, so if the budget is limited put your life in their hands.
