Loyal Lad. Top class former Emerald Cup winner The Mouseketeer could be equal to the test under topweight
The 2011 Gr2 Emerald Cup winner The Mouseketeer adds quality to the Vaal Tuesday double feature programme when he bids to win the R150 000 Listed Riverside Handicap for the second year running.
The R200 000 National Yearling Sale graduate has been a loyal servant to his owners and he stands out as the class act in a competitive field. Any horse that can win Africa’s premier and richest race on the sand is worth taking note of. But there is some stiff mixed bag competition.
Tarry Trio
The Mouseketeer makes up the Sean Tarry coupling with the very capable Mythical Palace and Prince Jazeem, and as is quite the norm in these races, the stable holds a strong hand. The son of Kahal carries topweight of 62,5 kgs but has certainly earned the impost with his excellent performances on this surface.
A winner of 5 of his 9 races on the sand, The Mouseketeer won his last start over the course and distance beating his seasoned stablemate and sand campaigner Across The Ice going away.
The Australian bred Mythical Palace is another with excellent sand form. A winner of 8 races, he is yet to win beyond 1200m and this could count against him taking on some hardknocking sorts.
The third of the Tarry trio Prince Jazeem has won on the sand earlier on and followed that up with a smart turf double. He now reverts to this surface after his turf form tapered negatively. As a fit horse racing from a good draw, he should have a say in the finish.
Speedy Youngster
Corne Spies sends out the only 3yo in the field in the Sail From Seattle gelding Tommy Gun. A horse held in high esteem by his connections, he failed in the Gold Rush Sprint behind Moofeed but has won on the sand. On a line through Across The Ice, he looks held by The Mouseketeer but runs with pace from the best draw and could give cheek for place money.
Loyalty Pays
Paul Peter’s Henry Higgins is a fascinating example of why perseverance works with some horses. Few would have thought that he would be a ten time winner today after shedding his maiden in a low key race at Flamingo Park some two years ago.
He is carded to run at Turffontein on Saturday. He has earlier strong sand form and steps back into the top level. If maintaining his excellent consistent turf form, he could rattle cages wit Robbie Fradd up off a nice weight.
Welcome Back
Donovan Mansour makes a welcome return to the local riding ranks when he partners Johan Janse Van Vuuren’s Newton Power. This gelding has consistent form and while never having reached the heights anticipated for him, he has shown fair enough form here to make his presence felt.
Kum Naidoo’s Storm Surf is another son of Kahal and is a very talented horse on the sand. He returns from a break of 13 weeks after a very poor turf run at Scottsville over 1700m.
The fact that he ran in that race is puzzling as his previous form at the Vaal is top class, and includes a smart fifth behind In A Rush in the Emerald Cup last year. There was thus nothing in his formline to suggest that he would go that far.
Lesser Lights
Alec Laird’s grey Pessoa has come off the high of his turf form of a year ago and has produced three rather ordinary return efforts since a break. He has his first run on the sand and if he goes on the surface he is classy and capable enough to be taken seriously.
The betting may be the best guide. Mike Azzie’s yard hit top form again recently but their Tiger Ridge gelding Panjo looks to have a tough task.
Feature Double
Tarry could provide the exotic bankers and celebrate a feature double with the topweights as he also saddles the high quality Toreador mare Jackodore in the corresponding fillies and mares contest, the Listed Nkosazana Stakes.
