With all the attention focussed on the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, some may have forgotten about a four feature Turffontein programme on the standside track today!
Hawwaam – looks progressive
Of major interest to racing fans will be the return to action of the undefeated half-brother to LQP third placed Rainbow Bridge, Hawwaam, who makes his comeback in the R250 000 Gr3 Tony Ruffel Stakes over 1400m.
The Dingaans winner was originally scheduled to travel to Cape Town for the Cape Guineas and the Queen’s Plate but after the time it took to Soqrat and Ghaalla to make the journey De Kock decided he would keep Hawwaam in Joburg.
There was talk of the Listed Sea Cottage Stakes being an option and that is over 1800m, but De Kock has elected to go for a race where he is extremely well weighted.
As a two-time winner he carries just 60kg with all the one-time winners allotted 58kg.
The second-best handicapped runner is Sean Tarry’s charge Celtic Sea. The filly gets a 2.5kg allowance and is the runner with the next highest merit rating.
On debut Hawwaam beat Reach For The Line by one length in the ‘no-crops’ race but as he is 2kg better off, trainers Mike and Adam Azzie might fancy their chances to give De Kock’s charge a run for his money.
