The sprinters are back in the limelight at Greyville this evening where the 28th renewal of the R400 000 Gr2 Post Merchants will be run over the 1200m. Dennis Drier’s up-and-coming Trippi 3yo Ferrie appears very progressive and looks a big runner from the 1 draw with talented Cape rider Grant Van Niekerk in the saddle.
Trainer Justin Snaith saddled the winner of the original Durban Merchants for the last two years but does not have a runner in the 2016 race.
Ferrie is on the up
The Normandy Stud-bred Trippi gelding Ferrie has been spoken about as something special and takes a step up in class.
He beat a rather ordinary Graduation field last time but his astute trainer rates him highly and his turn of foot suggests that he could match strides with the best here – especially off his handy 52kgs from a good draw.
Sean Tarry saddles a trio of runners, headed by topweight Trip To Heaven, who lost the Gold Challenge in the boardroom last Saturday.
If this talented son of Trippi recovers sufficiently to run here, he could challenge for top honours on his best speed form.
Trip To Heaven
His slow start is a worrying factor.
Stablemate Buckland will be ridden by first- choice rider S’manga Khumalo and has been rested 11 weeks since going down fifth and 1,80 lengths behind Talktothestars in the Senor Santa.
Buckland received 4kgs there from the subsequent Tsogo Sun winner and must be considered if taking to Greyville first time.
The third of Tarry’s runners is reserve runner, Old Em.
Captain Alfredo
Dean Kannemeyer’s Captain Alfredo won the Listed In Full Flight Handicap but failed to produce the goods when outgunned 4,10 lengths back in the Tsogo Sun Sprint a fortnight ago.
The son of Captain Al is well drawn and is a winner on the poly at this venue. He meets Red Ray on a half kilo better terms for just under a length beating last time.
Joey Ramsden’s Red Ray attracted plenty of betting support in the Tsogo Sun when returning from a long rest.
He had no luck in running, losing a show, but stayed on late when 3,15 lengths off Talktothestars.
Red Ray
The top-class entire son of Western Winter has his first start at Greyville and if not being hit by the second ran after a rest bogey, he must come into the reckoning on his Gr1 form of earlier.
Alec Laird enjoyed feature success last Saturday on the Rising Sun Gold Challenge raceday and he saddles a pair of runners.
The well performed Aurum Pot (like Laird’s Saturday success, a Judpot) has drawn in the bush and Avontuur sponsored Callum Murray will have to draw on every ounce of the gelding’s gate-speed to have a chance.
On a line through his penultimate run to Talktothestars, he is not far off the most competitive in this race.
His stablemate Amazing Strike has also drawn wide and comes in off a lower handicap win at the Vaal last time.
He looks to have a big task in tjis line-up.
Mike de Kock-trained Moofeed was runner-up in this race last year behind Daring Dave in what was a memorable finish.
Moofeed
The son of Duke Of Marmalade has not been at his best in his last few starts and Muzi Yeni has a tough task on his hands from the 13 draw – even though the entire likes to run at them late.
Gauteng visitor Belong To Me is another to pull a wide draw and runs off three unplaced runs, suggesting a loss of form.
He showed pace when 7,20 lengths behind Carry On Alice in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint.
The lightly raced 5yo London Call has drawn sweetly at 2 and comes off a 15 week break when beaten by the superior speed of Muscatt at Scottsville.
The son of Kahal has won 4 from 8 starts and gave weight and disposed of Mr Roy in comfortable style at his penultimate start.
This is a jump in class.
Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap winner Viking Hero has his first run in KZN and seldom runs a bad race.
Grant Maroun’s Mullins Bay gelding could be a quartet kicker if he adapts to the track conditions and enjoys to run at the leaders late off a fast gallop.
Fly By Night
Mike Bass’ Gr1 winning mare Fly By Night upstaged her more fancied stablemate Lanner Falcon in the SA Fillies Sprint, when staying on for second 1,25 lengths behind Real Princess.
The fairer sex were victorious in this race two years back when Varikate scored and Fly By Night has beaten the boys and is a classy galloper on her day.
Gary Alexander’s Querari 3yo Kangaroo Jack has won 3 from 7 and steps up in class in his first jump away from home.
It won’t be easy going for the talented youngster from the 11 draw.
Former Cape based Asstar came out firing on his opening KZN run when slamming Gr1 winner Guiness in receipt of 1,5kgs over the Scottsville 1000m.
The 4yo son of Ashaawes has been found wanting at this level previously but may be coming into his own and makes for an interesting prospect.
The state of the track, luck in running from the draw are the lead factors as the seasoned experience and class of the likes of Red Ray face the progressive Ferrie, who carries little weight from a flying gate.
Captain Alfredo and Fly By Night are both decent form sprinters, while Buckland could give the Tarry team a SA Champions Season change of fortune.
And…
How Do The Weights Get Allotted?
The weights for the Gr2 Post Merchants have been allocated as follows according to these bands:
Bench mark at 62,0 kg = 115 or more
Bench mark at 60,0 kg = 110 to 114
Bench mark at 58,0 kg = 105 to 109
Bench mark at 56,0 kg = 100 to 104
Bench mark at 54,0 kg = 95 to 99
Bench mark at 52,0 kg = 94 and less
The winner of this race will not incur a pen alty of more than 6 Rat ing points, unless specifically requested
There will also be no rating increase for placed horses, unless specifically requested.
Weight for age allowances will be applied where applicable to a minimum weight of 50,0 kg
A sex allowance of 2,5 kg will apply for Fillies
