The Highveld Spring Season kicks off in style at Turffontein on Saturday with the running of a Gr2 double feature that effectively breaks the drought of the mostly bread-and-butter fare of the past few months.
The two 1450m features on the Turffontein inside track are tasty starters for the big menu ahead and a field of thirteen mixed agers line up, at weight-for-age plus penalties for Gr1 and Gr2 wins, in the boys race.
Candice Dawson’s gallant grey Aussie-bred Infamous Fox tops the SP ratings and the tough as teak galloper always has a shout. He could be involved again.
Buffalo Bill Cody
The highly regarded Buffalo Bill Cody ran just out of the money when fancied in the Gr1 Champions Cup and returns home. He races from a wide draw, but most have a big chance on his best form.
Now an 8yo, Will Pays doesn’t have the best of recent form but could be dangerous for the back end of the quartets if finding his best form.
The Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint winner Chimichuri Run has been rested ten weeks since running 2,50 lengths off Champion Speedster Kasimir in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint. On his best 3yo form, he will have a chance.
The Hawaii Stakes winner Zouaves ran on powerfully in the Spring Spree Stakes last time and is very effective this course and distance.
Zouaves is game and consistent (Pic – JC Photos)
Putontheredlight and Ehsaan are two very capable 3yo’s racing off the 50kg mark.
Ehsaan will be the fitter of the two after winning his only start as a 3yo over the course and distance, beating Lone Survivor in an MR 88 Handicap.
The more proven of the two is Putontheredlight, who ran on powerfully for a half length second to Eden Roc in the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe. He was unplaced in the Premiers Champion Stakes at his last start, but can improve again here.
Angel’s Power and Prince Of Kahal dead heat (Pic – JC Photos)
Spring Spree dead-heater Prince Of Kahal has won his last two starts and can be expected to deliver another honest effort. Interestingly, while he has been confined to the sprints mostly, he has won over the 1450m.
The evergreen 7yo Angel’s Power burst through late to dead heat in the Spring Spree Stakes at his last start and is ridden by S’manga Khumalo again.
Full Mast gets the value-added services of Piere Strydom and while his recent form doesn’t suggest he can win it, he will be in the mix if things go his way. Against him is the fact that he hasn’t won a race since July 2018, but has been thereabouts in his recent Pinnacle Stakes outings.
A wide open race, where it may pay to go with a few in the exotics.
