We have a busy program in midweek and with no black type on offer, competitive handicaps are the order of the day. A MR96 affair over 1800m tops the bill at Clairwood on Wednesday, where most, if at their best, would have a shout, writes Steve Furnish.
Shouldering top weight of 61kg are both Dellotto and the veteran Mr. Esplendid.
Dellotto
A son of Dynasty, Dellotto progressed very nicely during the early part of last season, taking his merit rating all the way up to 100 from just 82. He was finishing best of all when stepping up in class to contest the listed Michael Roberts Handicap in January and amongst those he beat fair and square in that event was his fellow top weight Mr. Esplendid. Dellotto was unable to get in a blow in his five races since, but then he was pitched in against the best. He could arguably still improve based on the evidence of that last win, but he does return from a four month break here and is perhaps best just watched.
The 7yo Mr. Esplendid is as game as they come, and he has been coming to hand nicely since returning from a five month break in November. He’s gained five of his six career wins at this circuit and although he would ideally prefer further, he has won over this trip. Another positive is that Glen Kotzen’s charge almost ran up to his rating last time out and he does have his third run after the rest. Mr. Esplendid has only managed one win in his last 23 starts though and he races off a mark effectively five points higher than when registering that latest win.
Champion’s Bid
At first glance one might expect Rich Strike to be the best of Mike De Kock’s two runners, but it is worth noting that the up and coming Musi Yeni has ridden Safwan in three of his last four starts. Beaten three times when deep in the red, the lightly raced Safwan proved very costly to follow as a maiden. Since gaining that elusive first win on his return from a break in May though, he has shown good improvement and was far from disgraced when winding up last season with a fifth placing in the Natal Derby. He won well in his seasonal debut over 1600m in a graduation event at Greyville last month and could still improve plenty.
Rich Strike has been in good form since returning from a bit of a break in October and he did have three of today’s rivals behind him when winning a pinnacle event over 1950m in soft going at Scottsville in his penultimate start. Rich Strike’s latest run can be ignored as he didn’t get the clearest of runs. He too could still improve.
Course Specialists
More often than not seen out over 1600m, Askari has gained all four of his career wins at this circuit. He was running on nicely from the back when slow into stride over the 1950m trip at Greyville in his penultimate start, and that would suggest that the 1800m here, at his favourite track, could prove ideal.
Another to enjoy his visits to the garden course is the lightly raced 4yo Royal Rocker. Tony Rivalland’s charge has been coming along nicely since returning from a break in September and his two wins to date were both gained at this circuit. One gets the impression that further improvement could well be forthcoming and on that alone, he has to be respected.
Doug’s Bid
Other than that of Mike De Kock, the only other coupling in the race is that of Doug Campbell. A fair sixth in the 2009 Dingaans, the Parade Leader colt King Fernando showed real promise earlier in his career. He lost his form after winning his first start after the Dingaans and was then laid off until September. He was running on nicely when only beaten two lengths by Rich Strike in his penultimate start and he is now 2kg better off at the weights with that one.
The 8yo Top Spot seldom missed the frame earlier in his career, but since gaining his latest win over a year ago, he’s only managed to fill a place in the Quartet once in ten starts. He seems unlikely.
Captain Spike
As with Top Spot, Captain Spike has very consistent earlier form to his name, but last season he completely lost his way. Since his return from a short break in September though, he’s bounced back nicely, winning one and a runner up in the other. He finished well when only picked off late by Rich Strike in the aforementioned pinnacle event last time out and now better off at the weights with that one, he must hold some kind of a chance.
Vin D’Honneur
Paul Lafferty’s charge was given a break after gaining his latest win in April, but was then reported as coughing in his first two starts on his return. He was coming back from another break when compounding last time out and although the very talented Kevin Shea stays with him, he is perhaps best just watched for now.
About The Pace
Although there isn’t a lot of speed amongst the ten here, a couple of them have done well racing from the front, so hopefully we will at least get a fair clip. King Fernando, Rich Strike and Mr. Esplendid are all likely to be involved, but my favourites to fight it out, with preference for the latter, are Safwan and Askari.
