Milnerton trainer Paul Reeves has sent a team of horses to Durban for the first time – and it’s been a veritable baptism of fire with the SA Champions Season turned on its head courtesy of the Covid-19 epidemic.
The former jockey, who rode nearly 300 winners and started training in 2009, tried his luck with the good mare Sea Cat as a lone raider years back, but this is the first time he has attacked the riches of SA’s premier season with force.
Paul Reeves at work (Hamish Niven Photography)
He says that he is hoping to start off with a bang and is really looking forward to his KZN campaign.
His string includes some juveniles that he thinks a lot of and nice speed horses like Pippielangkous and Photocopy, as well as Skidoo, who could be a poly candidate.
He told Michael Clower in March that he was in search of for more options as there is a dearth of opportunity for his string in Cape Town.
He has two runners at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday and told Gold Circle’s Warren Lenferna that he does not expect his horses to need runs.
“I have given both my runners for Monday some grass work. In saying that, they are running on the poly and that could be the only concern as they are unsure of the surface. I have worked them once or twice on the poly at Summerveld and they seem to move beautifully on it so I am just hoping for some good runs.”
Individually he suggested:
- Race 8: CHILLY WINTER:
She is a nice filly, If it were the grass I would give her a big chance in the race. Based on her fitness level and the overall way she has been doing she should run well – the poly the only question mark.
- Race 10: PIPPIELANGKOUS:
I think the poly will really suit her but she does have a high draw to overcome. She will have to get out and go against the boys to recover from the gate so it will be a bit tough for her.
