In Form. Roman Wall gets the services of Anton Marcus and looks like he is regaining form again
Trainer Gavin Van Zyl has mouthwatering prospects of a rewarding long weekend’s racing ahead of him in Gauteng and his home province. His smart Bezrin gelding Big City Angel looks the right one in Sunday’s R135 000 Listed Easter Handicap to be run over 2000m at Clairwood.
The lightly raced three time winner was scratched from the riot delayed Kings Cup a fortnight ago, and comes in handily weighted with just 52 kgs in what looks like a far more lucrative contest for him.
Big City Angel has won his last three races on the trot with an electrifying turn of foot, and appears a very progressive sort, even as a 5yo. His biggest danger is likely to be Sean Tarry’s handsome Roman Wall, who charged through late last Sunday for a 2 length fourth behind impressive winner Pessoa in the Kings Cup.
Roman Wall was reported to be hanging rather badly, and such antics could cost him dearly here. He will be ridden by Anton Marcus, who is bound to get the maximum effort out of him.
Alyson Wright’s solid grey Daylami gelding Penhaligon ran a cracker in the Kings Cup to stay on for a good second, and he should be far more at home over the extra 400m of Sunday’s race.
He may have to be ridden more conservatively from his wide draw, but is consistency personified, and must go into all perms. Vaughan Marshall’s Tribal Dance carries topweight and has pulled the 1 draw. He has his first run since a fair sixth placed effort in the J&B Met last month.
One would imagine that he has bigger fish to fry, and is likely to need a run or two before reaching peak form. Another Cape traveller who may need the run is Yogas Govender’s 7yo Caymen Island, who has had a ten week layoff since winning an MR 96 Handicap over a mile in gutsy fashion.
Adam Kethro’s Orbit War loves this racing venue, and never finishes far off the action. Despite that he has not shown enough of a spark to be considered a serious challenger.
Sage Throne ended a long lean spell when returning from a rest to run a fair third behind Roman Wall in the Umthomboti Handicap run over 1900m at Greyville in January.
He is now 1kg worse off with Roman Wall for that 2,50 length beating. The likes of Kolkata (dare we ignore anything ridden by Strydom?), Knight To Remember and Sun City are all likely to need further to be considered seriously.
Big City Angel appeals most in a race that looks like it will be a true run affair. Roman Wall has his problems, but will benefit from Marcus’ no nonsense approach, while Penhaligon could run them both over if things go his way.
