The aptly named R150 000 Listed Southeaster Sprint, will be run at Kenilworth on Saturday and brings the curtain down on the 2017 feature programme.
One of Cape Town’s favourite speedsters looks set for a big run on Saturday.
Sergeant Hardy – can challenge if at best
The 4yo Sergeant Hardy famously suffers from a breathing impairment courtesy of a vocal chord paralysis. But this has not stopped the son of Captain Al from winning 6 of his 14 starts and he could maintain his sire’s great run with a big effort. After winning his first start as a 4yo in sterling fashion, Sergeant Hardy went down 3,25 lengths behind Silicone Valley in the Gr2 Cape Merchants at his last start and gets Bernard Fayd’herbe back in the saddle on Saturday,
Horse Guards needs to recapture his form
Dennis Drier’s Horse Guards comes in off a 21 week break and is likely to need the outing as the raiding horses have tended to do. The son of Horse Chestnut started his career in great style winning his first two on the trot but failed to come up to scratch in feature company. He did win his penultimate outing on the Greyville poly beating the high-class Attenborough but was injured and withdrawn from his intended first season start last month.
Andries Steyn’s Power Grid takes a step up to feature class and certainly deserves the chance to show his credentials after downing SA Fillies Nursery winner Green Plains in a bruising Progress Plate duel over the Kenilworth 1200m last time. It is worth noting that Green Plains flopped at her next start though..
The slightly disappointing Australian-bred Lord Balmoral who gets the blinkers on for the first time. The 2017 Listed Sophomore Sprint winner finished only 3 lengths behind Sergeant Hardy when they last clashed but is as much as 3kgs better off – and should be a lot fitter as his last run came after a four month absence.
.Lord Balmoral gets the blinkers fitted
First of the Andre Nel duo, the Var gelding Percival never really got into the race in the Cape Merchants when finishing a well beaten 5 lengths off Silicone Valley.
Rock Of Africa comes in off a victory on the Fairview polytrack at his last start. He won his penultimate start at Kenilworth beating the capable Nasty Harry in an MR 94 Handicap and looks to have the edge on Power Grid on earlier form.
Greg Cheyne – rides Kingston Passage
The 4yo Kingston Passage is the least experienced runner in the field of nine and looks to have scope to improve further on his consistent form-line. The son of Western Winter carries a handy joint bottom-weight of 52 kgs and regular pilot Greg Cheyne may well be looking to ride him smartly from his wind exposed 1 draw.
The 2015 Gr2 Joburg Merchants winner Brutal Force carries top weight as the officially highest rated galloper in the field. The 6yo son of Western Winter is an eight-time winner but has not been at his best in two runs this term.
Second of the Andre Nel runners, La Favourari is no slouch as his 7 wins from 17 starts record attests. He was not persevered with when beaten over 23 lengths behind Sergeant Hardy last time out, but that run is best ignored.
A tough puzzle to unravel.
Sergeant Hardy could bounce back to winning ways with serious chance to Lord Balmoral and the gutsy Power Grid. Kingston Passage is an improving sort and looks the obvious danger.
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