The Vaal Tuesday eight-race programme is a lifetime away from Champions Day but the presence of the intriguing Master’s Spirit in the day’s topliner will generate interest. The son of Jet Master is yet to live up to his R3,4 million price tag on the track but has a fascinating story behind him – and a few problems.
Master’s Spirit (blue and white) seen winning at Scottsville
The 4yo colt is trained by master conditioner Mike de Kock and lines up against ten opponents in a middle of the road MR 88 Handicap over 1200.
From his sire’s last crop, the touching story goes that a day after Jet Master’s funeral, the Klipdrif staff were doing some routine work with his dam when Master’s Spirit broke free and ran off, only to be found standing quietly at his sire’s grave.
A magnificent specimen, he is bred from a Fillies Guineas winner and hails from the high-class racing family of Topa Inca and Cholula .
With those credentials, one would imagine he would run – but like a few sons and daughters of the deceased champion stallion Jet Master, he has had his issues.
Trainer Mike de Kock is hoping that Sheikh Hamdan’s Master’s Spirit can still go on and build on his three wins from ten starts.
Mike De Kock – looking for a decent effort
De Kock is on record as follows: “Master’s Spirit a beautiful-looking horse and when he was a juvenile I believed he had stakes prospects. But it’s well-documented that many Jet Masters have breathing problems. On top of that he’s had other niggles, he’s been unsound at times. He is concentrating better in blinkers and he’s sound now. He could be a specialist sprinter,” he said.
While he failed to kick on last time, the acceleration shown by Master’s Spirit when storming home late to beat Nice Stride at his penultimate jump over 1160m was highly impressive stuff.
He has been rested 18 weeks since that last flat effort, and comes out fresh under Weichong Marwing on Tuesday and has the class to match strides with this lot.
The year younger Donny G hails from the Sean Tarry yard and has won his last two on the trot – the most recent in a decent quality handicap.
He reverts to the course and distance of his last win when beating Will Pays and some decent sorts and it is worth noting that his three quietest efforts have been in features – and really decent company.
The only other 3yo in the race is the lightly raced Trippi gelding Reef Of Fortune. He showed
Clinton Binda-trained Cannes is pretty effective over the course and distance and while the son of Atso rises in class, he could have a shout in a generally modest field.
He beat Occulus by 2,80 lengths last time and there should be little to choose between the two again.
Lyle Hewiston – rode his 27th winner at Scottsville on Sunday
Occulus in fact produced three decent post-maiden efforts and may be worth considering off the handy 52kg mark.
The 7yo Vulcan has been rested 23 weeks but has not won in ages and doesn’t appear to be dependable.
Lyle Hewitson takes 2,5kg off the back of 6yo Flag Of France who drops a notch in class after fading behind Manx Park last time . The son of The Sheik has not been too far off and seldom runs a double figure margin.
That makes him a quartet inclusion and upset material if in a galloping mood.
The grey Stage Call gelding Stavinsky reverts to sprinting after an unsuccessful stint trying more ground. He was more effective on sand at best.
The pacy Zortziko appears to have his problems and is battling to put together a decent effort.
Sand performer Shadow Line has been rested over a year and should need the run.
Cohiba enjoys the track and trip but may be past his best at 7 – and has a habit of losing his races at the start.
On the balance of things, the race is open beyond Donny G and Master’s Spirit and these are the two who should fight it out.
Cannes and Occulus could be best of the rest.
