The R350 000 Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes at Turffontein on Saturday provides the stage for a mouthwatering speed duel between class flyers of both sexes.
While the weather forecast of partly cloudy conditions, with a 60% chance of showers & thunderstorms is a concern. it’s all systems go for a fascinating speed duel.
Defending champion Mardi Gras carries topweight but has proven his ability to run fresh. His potential clash with rising star Mr Flood and two top fillies should be the highlight of a great day’s racing.
Mardi Gras – top class and runs well off a break (Pic – JC Photos)
A one-time R3,6 million yearling, the handsome grey Oratorio gelding Mardi Gras returned from a six month break when he stormed clear late in proceedings to win the Joburg Merchants at his last start. He now comes back after a 15 week break since that run and is asked to carry 62kgs in this 1160m contest weighted on merit rating bands. It’s fully 8kgs more than he carried to victory last year.
The bargain purchase Mr Flood has proven a revelation since returning after a year break to win the Lebelo – then winning his next two, including the Tommy Hotspur at his last jump. He has risen in the ratings but has been equal to the task each time and now bids for his sixth win on the trot. He looks capable of grinding them into the dust again!
Mr Flood – goes for six in a row (Pic – JC Photos)
The 2019 SA Nursery winner Basadi Faith returned to best to win her last start with all guns blazing over the Turffontein 1000m. The daughter of Master Of My Fate carries 53,5kgs and steps into hardknocking mixed company for the first time. Off her rating, she must have a major chance to show the boys how it’s done.
The year old Mighty High, a Gr1 winner at 2, was beaten 3,35 lengths by Basadi Faith last time and is now 2kgs worse off with her counterpart. She has place prospects.
It’s a warm welcome back to race action after suspension for Muzi Yeni, who takes over from Warren Kennedy (he rides Benji) on the hardworking 5yo Rebel’s Champ – who is technically held by Basadi Faith on their last meeting when he was beaten over 5 lengths. Rebel’s Champ is as honest as the day is long and represents upset material at best.
Romi’s Boy has been well beaten by Mr Flood at his three most recent starts and should still struggle to reverse the last 2,25 length deficit with his additional 1kg pull.
Riding the stablemate to Rebel’s Champ, Warren Kennedy is an interesting booking on the 52kg lumping Benji, in favour of his more accomplished stablemate. The son of Elusive Fort has won his last two starts on the trot but steps up in class.
Warrior’s Rest is maintaining consistent form and meets Mardi Gras on a kilo better terms after being beaten 2,25 lengths in the Merchants on Summer Cup day at his penultimate start. He could have a decent feature in him and is one to watch.
Rivarine – hardknocker (Pic – JC Photos)
Rivarine is a kilo better off with Mr Flood for a 1,75 length third in the Tommy Hotspur last time, where he stayed on well. Piere Strydom won on him earlier and returns after a two year absence. The son of Var was beaten 4,75 lengths by Mardi Gras in this race last year but is as much as 8kgs better off this year and could challenge for the places at best.
The Fort Wood gelding Carbon Atom is the third of the Tarry trio. The 4yo doesn’t appear to boast the recent sprint form to take on the speed merchants here and is in under sufferance off his 52kg mark.
It should be a terrific tussle of the speedheads. Mr Flood may just hold the edge over Mardi Gras and Basadi Faith. But it could turn on the toss of a tickey!
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