Classy. Ormond Ferraris’ Snowdon returns to the sprint track and should go close
With the field displaying an interesting mix of speed and stamina, Sean Tarry holds a powerful hand in Saturday’s R300 000 Gr2 Senor Santa Handicap run over the straight 1160m at Turffontein. But Ormond Ferraris may hold the trump card with the classy Snowdon, who reverts to sprinting.
The race is named in honour of one of our greatest sprinters Senor Santa, who famously took on the brilliant filly Northern Princess in the 1989 Winning Form Challenge Match Race. Senor Santa registered his last win at this very venue, when the son of Northern Guest won the Star Sprint under Jeff Lloyd beating Divine Act and Secret Rites on 24 April 1993.
Form Yard
The high riding Tarry fields four of the nine runners in what looks a highly competitive race. But the smart and very consistent son of Western Winter, Snowdon, could be the joker in the pack and as one of the few genuinely course and distance suited contestants comes into the picture.
He registered his last win when beating the capable Jackodore over Saturday’s course and distance at the end of December, giving lumps of weight away. Snowdon has run two great races since, with his last being a very nice 1,25 length fourth behind Whiteline Fever in the Hawaii Stakes.
Musical
Full Of Courage. Piere Strydom rides the talented Across The Ice for Sean Tarry
The Listed Darley Arabian winner Heavy Metal enjoys the services of Anton Marcus, but is yet to prove effective over the sprint distances. He is a classy sort though, and Sean Tarry showed us just what he is capable of with classy horses with ability over the sprints, after producing Pomodoro to win straight out of a rest after his Vodacom Durban July win.
The seven time winner Mythical Palace is a troubled sort, who has managed to win 7 of his 19 career starts. He will be partnered as usual by his ‘soul mate’ Apprentice Doctor Sifiso Lembethe, and as a course and distance winner, capable of a major showing.
Piere Strydom partners Across The Ice, who won on the Vaal Sand last week. The son of Western Winter is a top class six time winner, who is probably a few lengths better on the sand.
Poor Run
Polar Moon is an in and out sort, who ran a shocker in the Riverside Handicap last week. He is capable on his day, but appears outgunned by the better sprinters.
Mike De Kock’s lightly raced Australian bred 4yo Merhee was tried on the sand in the Listed Riverside Handicap last week, but ran a shocker. He had nice turf form prior to that, and while he looks held by Across The Ice on his previous sand run, he has met some good sorts.
Merhee won his debut by close on ten lengths over the course and distance and was then thrown straight into the Dingaans, where he finished unplaced behind his stablemate Silver Flyer.
Facile Fashion
Two runs later he beat the smart General Sherman over 1200m at Turffontein in easy fashion, before going on to beat the high class Woodruff runner Approachable and Uncle Tommy over the Vaal 1400m.
Merhee is 1,5kgs worse off with Uncle Tommy, whom he beat by an easy 5 lengths there. Jeff Freedman sends out the speedy Mogok 4yo Guantanamera, who is something of a 1000m specialist. He enjoys the services of Robbie Fradd under a light weight, and could claim some place money.
Tommy Gun
Back To Grass. Weiho Marwing’s Uncle Tommy switches to the turf after a spell on sand
The lightly weighted Uncle Tommy reverts to the grass after a good effort behind The Mouseketeer in last week’s Listed Riverside Handicap on the Vaal Sand . He ran on well for third
Gary Alexander’s warrior Pierre Jourdan returns from a four month break from competition following an unplaced effort in the Summer Cup. He should be found wanting for pace here, and this will be a pipe opener for the bigger tests that lie ahead.
We are siding with Snowdon to get back to winning ways, at the expense of Merhee and Guantanamera.
