Kalamain looks to have plenty to do on paper – but is a progressive sort
After the scintillating high of the Vodacom Durban July on Saturday, we gear down into the midweek idle of the run-of-the-mill stuff. There is plenty of racing entertainment for the sport’s staunch supporters though and the week kicks off today with a bumper nine race programme on the Fairview polytrack.
The topliner is the R67 000 1900m MR 80 Handicap where a 3yo son of Summerhill stallion Admire Main takes on ten opponents.
Trained for his owners and breeders, the Scribante family, by Alan Greeff, Kalamain has plenty to do as a 3yo carrying 61,5kgs, but is on the up and looks a scopy sort with plenty in the tank.
After his Guineas Plate win at his fifth career outing at Fairview in mid-November 2014, we suggested he be pencilled in as one for the notebook.
We are proud to confirm that he has not let his followers down in the ensuing seven odd months, and goes to post on Monday as a four-time winner from his ten starts.
Kalamain has proven himself fairly versatile too, with three wins on turf and one on the poly.And Greg Cheyne knows him well.
Greg Cheyne -Kalamain’s regular rider
He probably found the East Cape Derby distance of 2400m a bridge too far, when fading late to finish 7 lengths behind Joey Ramsden’s well performed St Tropez – who ran on Saturday in the heady league (by comparison to Fairview on a Monday) of the tabGOLD 2200, or Consolation July.
His is out of the two-time winning Silvino mare Kalajana, who raced to two wins in the Scribante silks, and was also a Greeff charge.
His sire Admire Main is the first son of the breed-shaping Sunday Silence to stand on African soil.
Greg Cheyne, who was in touch with the leaders on the SA jockey log a month ago (he is now 50 winners behind Gavin Lerena), is Kalamain’s regular rider and gives all of his mounts an optimum chance to win.
Birthday Boy Gavin Smith’s Intandokazi has his second run in this centre after transferring from the Mike Azzie Gauteng yard.
The son of Encosta De Lago battled for 18 runs before scoring a ten length maiden win and has his first run on the PE poly.
Craig Zackey rides him from a 2 draw and with the blinkers fitted, he could come out galloping.
Justin Snaith – saddles a decent coupling
Justin Snaith is always a compulsory inclusion for exotic players and the SA Champions saddles a duo, which includes the topweight, Wooden Star – a fit, multiple course and distance winner.
His last run behind Taarish s best ignored and he is no slouch on this surface.
Naval Intelligence has good recent form on this track and he will be ridden by stable jockey, Richard Fourie.
The son of Trippi ran on powerfully for second behind King Of Indians last time and may enjoy the 300m shorter here. He must go in to all bets.
Dorrie Sham has a three way coupling in the race and the best may be Gavin Lerena’s mount, De La Danza.
The former KZN-based galloper is yet to threaten in his four local runs, but his earlier form against some decent gallopers suggests he should not be overlooked.
Money Grubber is rising eight years of age, but has not lost his enthusiasm for racing.
He ran on well last time behind Samhaan and his polytrack form has stood out recently.
Karl Zechner – rides Money Grubber
The in-form Karl Zechner is aboard and will know him better at his second ride.
The once consistent Zoo Biscuit has lost the edge in his recent starts but jumps on the paint and can up his game again, to place at best.
Formerly Flamingo Park-based King Of The Castle, now trained by Yvette Bremner, has won two of his four recent PE starts and is taking advantage of his modest rating. He comes in here with a galloping 54kgs but has to find 6kgs on a horse like Sanfoneiro, who was only 2,75 lengths behind when they met over the course and distance three runs back.
Tara Laing’s Bolt Of Light has lost form rather badly recently.
It is a tricky little race – and bankering looks a bold option.
Kalamain could step up and improve to go very close.
