The return match between Storm Bird Stakes dead-heaters Frosted Gold and Twilight Moon could be a highlight of the Gr3 Protea Stakes at Turffontein today.
The unbeaten Australian-bred grey and the Wylie Hall stakes flagbearer fought out a thriller over a 100m shorter three weeks ago and the clash on Saturday sees the local a kilo better off.
Twilight Moon was his sire’s first stakes winner when improving smartly on his green debut effort when running on well – when beaten by Look To The Sky, whom he meets again.
Mike de Kock’s very smart All Too Hard colt Frosted Gold will be looking to preserve his perfect record and Gavin Lerena will no doubt have a plan up his sleeve to counter his speedy adversaries.
Sean Tarry again takes his chances with the Var filly Cavivar against the boys and after showing plenty of speed in the Storm Bird, she was beaten under two lengths into fourth. She comes in 2kgs better off with Frosted Gold and as much as 2,5kgs with Twilight Moon.
The Hollywood Syndicate owned Look To The Sky actually beat Twilight Moon rather easily on debut but then had the tables turned when conceding 3kgs to the Matchett runner in the Storm Bird. Look To The Sky is a kilo better off here with Twilight Moon and 2kgs better off with Frosted Gold. And after showing good pace last time, he is sure to benefit From the experience. He will be wearing the alumites in front and will race unshod behind.
Stablemate to Twilight Moon, Arapaho appeared in need of the run and pulled up blowing hard when fifth and 4,30 lengths behind the Storm Bird Stakes dead heaters last time – that after a smooth debut win over 800m in mid December. He is 2kgs and 1kgs better off with Frosted Gold and Twilight Moon respectively and can run into the money in the capable hands of Richard Fourie.
Paul Peter’s What A Winter colt Ring Of Fire had to travel to KZN and the Greyville polytrack to shed his maiden after three reasonably decent placed efforts.
Robbie Sage – saddled Green Laser
Robbie Sage’s Green Laser improved nicely on a fair debut effort to shed his maiden over the Vaal 1200m at his second start.He is highly regarded and plans are to send him down to contest the Gr1 on the Scottsville Sprint day in May.
A Piemonte Stud bred son of Crusade, Anatolio was beaten just under seven lengths by subsequent Green Laser on debut. Discounting the benefit of the experience and the 3kgs turnaround at the weights this speedy looking half-brother to the well-performed Carlita can improve for place money.
Tobie Spies’ Querari gelding Waimea comes in off an eleven week break and an unplaced run on debut on 12 January. He looks held at this point by Cavivar but may warrant quartet inclusion as the stable are effective with their 2yo’s.
It’s a tricky Pick 6 opener if with at least four inclusions needed to offer some security. Frosted Gold could hold the edge over Cavivar and Twilight Moon is the obvious danger. Look To The Sky also looked very dangerous for a long way in the Storm Bird.
