Ice Machine seen winning the Drill Hall Stakes
With regular pilot Anton Marcus doing duty for his boss down at the big D in the beautiful Cape, Andrew Fortune steps into the breach to pilot the classy 7yo Ice Machine at Turffontein today. The son of Silvano has enjoyed a new lease on life recently and looks tough to oppose on paper in the R400 000 Gr2 Joburg Spring Challenge.
There are some that may feel inclined to suggest that Ice Machine is somewhat flattered by his 117 rating, but an investigation of his formline shows that he can pace it with the best when sound and fit.
Andrew Fortune – deputises for Marcus
And jockey Andrew Fortune looks the perfect foil for the Meaker family’s pride and joy, who has been nursed to some great performances by the astute Charles Laird.
Memorable
Rested 9 weeks, since going perilously close to dethroning current SA Horse Of The Year Futura in the Gr1 Champions Cup run on the rescheduled Super Saturday programme on the opening day of the new season, Ice Machine had a last term to remember.
His big win was in the Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes, where he turned on the jets to storm home and beat Bouclette Top in style.
He was fancied in certain quarters to give Futura a go in the Champions Cup – particularly by those who had taken a relook at his eyecatching Vodacom Durban July effort.
While not appearing to stay the 2200m, he was right there until the death and only stopped late to run just over four lengths off Power King.
Down in trip, and while taking cognisance of the reality that he may not be ideally suited to the inside track, he must be fancied to win here.
Heavenly
Trip To Heaven
His biggest danger could be the Tarry galloper Trip To Heaven, a lightly raced 4yo colt who bounced back after one quiet KZN Champions Season effort, to win his season opener three weeks ago.
He beat the promising Cape 3yo Lineker and the Gr2 Merchants winner could be ready to fufill his earlier promise.
Sean Tarry – Trip To Heaven must be a big runner
Sean Tarry’s other two – Whiteline Fever and Halve The Deficit – are racing off form and cannot be recommended with any confidence.
The KZN Breeders Million Mile winner (and 2014 Charity Mile champ) Bezanova is always dangerous if allowed to dictate matters.
The son of Bezrin has been rested 13 weeks and is one of two Alec Laird runners.
The other being the disappointing Bouclette Top, who looks generally well held – and particularly by Ice Machine on his Drill Hall defeat.
He ran a dismal race in the August Stakes, when not enjoying the sand, and needs to lift his game again.
De Kock Duo
Moofeed – runs on well
Mike De Kock saddles the Duke Of Marmalade entire Moofeed and the Lonhro gelding Anjaal.
Anthony Delpech – rides Anjaal
Anthony Delpech rides the latter, who comes in off a nine week break following his not striding out in the Listed Darley Arabian on Super Saturday.
His decent fourth-placed run to The Conglomerate in the KRA Guineas suggests he has some ability, but he would need to be at the top of his game to match strides with Ice Machine and Bezanova.
Moofeed has been mainly restricted to the sprints and is another whose fitness is suspect after a break following Super Saturday.
He is a fellow who likes to run at them late off a fast pace and he may be the surprise package in a hazy picture beyond the top three.
Foxy
Paul Peter – saddles Forest Fox
Paul Peter’s Forest Fox is drawn against the paint and ran a fair race when going down third 1,70 lengths behind Trip To Heaven last time.
He is a kilo better off with the Tarry runner but needs to go through with the hype that accompanied his earlier career.
The Right Approach colt Easy Lover has switched yards from Duncan Howells to Stuart Pettigrew and came through powerfully on July Day to win the Listed Canon Business Centre Handicap.
If not in need of the run, he could run into the places.
Light The Way is a consistent course-and-distance suited galloper, who faces a stiff test at the weight terms.
Ice Clear
So, on paper, Ice Machine must be the choice to produce the goods and win this.
Bezanova must not be allowed to get away in the front as he is a powerful galloper who goes through brick walls when in the right frame of mind.
Trip To Heaven is best of the rest, with Moofeed the dark horse for the back end of quartets.
