It has been twenty years since night racing changed the landscape of the sport of kings in KwaZulu-Natal forever. The great news is that the TGIF concept is scheduled for a sustained run every Friday evening from 23 September to 19 May at Greyville.
Live bands, happy hour, kids and braai-zones are some of the bells and whistles that contribute to the popular crowd-pulling appeal in a province where horseracing still ranks amongst the preferred entertainment options.
Midweek
In advance of Friday’s opener, we race today at Greyville on the poly where an attractive eight race programme is offered.
A capacity field R98 000 MR 99 Handicap run over the potentially draw sensitive 1200m heads the card.
While a poor wide draw dilutes some of the enthusiasm, there is plenty to like about Mike Miller’s smart Warm White Night gelding, Executive Power.
Executive Power – talented and ready to put it all together as a 4yo
Just off the best in his 3yo year, the course and distance winner gets regular pilot Alec Forbes and is set for a big effort.
A pacy galloper, he has shown ability to some good sorts and is fit.
Van Zyl Duo
Gavin Van Zyl has a decent two-pronged attack.
Stable jockey Warren Kennedy rides the good 4yo Redcarpet Captain who returns from an eleven week rest following a dazzling course-and-distance win on July day.
Redcarpet Captain – won well in KZN recently
The son of Captain Al beat the decent Cape challenger Ernie and has produced some very smart performances in the past.
He is widely drawn though and fitness may be suspect.
His stablemate Just Ask Me is drawn three gates in and runs for regular jockey Billy Jacobson.
He surprised over 200m further at 30-1 last time out and looks to have lots to do to repeat.
Outpaced
Sean Tarry has pulled a peach of a 1 draw with the frustrating Rikitikitana, who has not win since January – but has faced some tough opposition.
The son of Toreador has taken time to get going in his races and will possibly running on too late again over this trip.
Captain Chaos is another smart son of Captain Al who was based in the Cape with Ronnie Sheehan where he showed some deft touches.
Captain Chaos wins the Cape Of Good Hope Nursery
He has won once (a course and distance success) in three starts but has not been sufficiently consistent to fancy with any serious hope.
Dennis Bosch has Cutting Edge and the 6yo Peter Piper in the line-up.
They are both course and distance winners, but look likely to need the run after their break for the housekeeping routine.
Claimer
Apprentice Dennis Schwarz claims 4kgs on Tony Rivalland’s Al Ciberano.
The 6yo son of Al Miqdaam looks a major contender on the 48,5 kg mark.
Schwarz rode his first winner in May in his 14th career race ride aboard the Gavin van Zyl-trained Cronological. He has ridden a further four winners, but only one this term and will be keen to get into a challenging position.
Sadly for Tony Rivalland his Highway Explorer did not get into the first stream and is a reserve runner.
The Australian-bred runs off a ten week break and tends to show pace without going all the way.
Stolen Destiny, Waltzed Home and Tuscan are all fair sorts when in the mood but are really vying for a place cheque at best.
Go Wide
Despite their wide draws, we are going with the 4yo’s Executive Power and Redcarpet Captain to fight it out.
On fitness, we are siding with the Miller runner to register a deserved fourth win and go on to better things this term.
