Champion mare Val De Ra, unbeaten in eight starts over 1000m, tries for the Computaform Sprint double
One of four top grade races to be run on what is a truly magnificent day’s racing at Turffontein on Saturday, the Computaform Sprint has attracted the best sprinters from around the country. Last season’s first four are amongst the nine that do battle this time around and with the promising 3yo Deliver The Power and as well as former champion sprinter J J The Jet Plane in the line up, an exciting contest awaits us, writes Steve Furnish.
Still highest rated by the official handicapper, despite having been beaten fair and square in both outings since returning to our shores, is J J The Jet Plane. Unbeaten over sprint distances in this country before his recent return, J J The Jet Plane has been a tremendous ambassador for South African Racing. He had previously been seen in action here back in 2010 when he won his only two starts, the Gr1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint and the Gr1 Mercury Sprint with authority. Those two successes as with the vast majority of his career wins have been gained over 1200m, but he did also win his only earlier start over 1000m on our shores when making all to beat Flintlock by a neck in this race back in 2008. There are very few who are not aware of J J’s breathtaking victory over the already legendary Rocket Man in the Gr1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint 16 months ago and for that he has earned a place in the history books. The legend is now approaching 8 years old though and as much as I amongst many would love to see him win here, as with the mighty Pocket Power there does come a time when one has to gracefully accept that the younger and stronger will rein.
Val De Ra
Rated some nine points inferior to J J The Jet Plane in this weight for age event is the flying mare Val De Ra. Beaten just once in twelve outings, the speedy Val De Ra is at her best over 1000m. Indeed, she’s won all eight starts. In gaining back to back Gr1 wins in her final two outings last season she proved herself worthy of her champion sprinter status and her two magnificent victories during the recent Cape season confirmed that. Effective in both good and soft underfoot conditions, Val De Ra had both What A Winter and J J behind her when winning the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship last time out and if fully tuned after a three month break, she won’t be easy to beat.
What A Winter
What A Winter, last years runner up, stilll improving
Probably the biggest threat to Val De Ra is What A Winter. He was caught for early toe when a runner up to Dennis Drier’s charge in this event last season, but he was only beaten a half length on identical terms by our champion sprinter when they met again in the Flying Championship in January. Mike Bass’ charge looked as if he would go on to score when throwing down the gauntlet 150m from home in that latest outing, but the gallant mare found extra. Clearly still improving and getting stronger, this son of Western Winter also comes off a three month break here. It could quite simply be a question of who is the fittest on the day.
Shea Shea
Sent off second favourite at 33/10 in last season’s Computaform, Shea Shea was running on strongly at the finish and was only beaten two and a half lengths. He won the prestigious Gr1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint over 1200m at Scottsville in his only subsequent outing last season and he did have Western Winter behind him in that event. Geoff Woodruff’s charge was off the track for six months after that success and was then comfortably beaten in both starts when returning to action in November. Shea Shea was off the track for a further three months after those efforts, but he did then show his well being when trotting up in a conditions event last month. Shea Shea was thrown in at the weights in that latest outing, but the manner in which he won did suggest that he is back to best.
Magico
Making up the Quartet in last season’s event was the Dupont gelding Magico. Paul Peter’s charge has won six of his twelve starts over today’s distance and three of those successes have been gained at this circuit. He too was sparingly raced after his effort in this race last year though and in his three outings since returning from a three month break in October he has been comfortably beaten by others in today’s race. He was reported as lame on the off fore when finishing down field last time out and is perhaps best just watched for now.
Deliver The Power
Deliver The Power, the only 3yo in the field
The only 3yo in the race is the up and coming Deliver The Power. At home in both good and soft ground, this son of Toreador has been going from strength to strength since finishing runner up over today’s distance at the Vaal on debut and he has now won seven of his nine outings. Unbeaten in two starts over today’s course and distance, Dominic Zaki’s charge has won his last two outings in facile fashion and comes into the race at the top of his game. Deliver The Power has plenty of scope for further improvement and having an edge on fitness over the principal runners, he must have upset potential.
Winking Jack
The veteran Winking Jack was mainly campaigned over further in his earlier days. After reverting to the minimum distance at the start of 2011 though, he suddenly took off and prior to finishing sixth in this event last season he had won three in a row over today’s distance. His form this campaign had been disappointing in comparison, but he did then suddenly come good when beating the already legendary J J The Jet Plane at level weights in a conditions event last time out.
Moroccan
After winning five of his first ten starts the Kitalpha gelding Moroccan then contested the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint over 1200m at Scottsville and beaten just 3,2 lengths by J J The Jet Plane he gave a very good account of himself. He’s been sparingly raced since then and although his two successes have both come in condition’s events, he did slam Winking Jack by four at levels in his penultimate outing. Regardless of that latest win though, Moroccan does have plenty to find at the weights if he is to trouble the better ones here and having only previously managed one win from five outings over the distance, he is not easy to fancy.
Mannequin
The ultra consistent Kahal mare Mannequin has been a tremendous servant to connections and has fully deserved her nine wins. She’s gained her latest three successes over today’s course and distance and comes into the race in good form. She is racing a bit above her station here though, and she is well held by both Deliver The Power and Winking Jack on recent runs.
About The Pace
With plenty of speed amongst the nine going to post, a good pace looks assured. Champion Sprinter Val De Ra and possible heir to the throne What A Winter fought out a thrilling finish in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship when they last ran in January and although the likes of J J The Jet Plane, Shea Shea and Deliver The Power must hold some kind of a chance here, a rematch does look to be on the cards. The question is, who will strip fitter?
