Classy topweight Snowdon looks the business
It’s a truly wonderful game this. No matter the petty politics, sideshows and debate raging in the corridors of power, the punters and the ponies soldier on and do what they do best day in and day out. Let’s face it-as long as the sun rises and the horses are ready to run, what else really matters in life?
With no feature race scheduled nationally again this weekend, Turffontein provides one of the highlights with an entertaining looking nine race programme on offer today.
In the aftermath of the terrific feature race action that dominated our thoughts and kept us entertained in the final few months of last season, the new racing term has started with the proverbial bang.
Flying High
Our focus for now is unravelling a tricky looking R120 000 Flightsure Aviation Brokers Pinnacle Stakes, which takes pride of place at Turffontein.
And as is the norm, the Pinnacle Stakes conditions favour the better rated horses.
At first glance, Ormond Ferraris’ topweighted Snowdon looks to have them all under pressure at the weights if he runs true to his 107 merit rating.
The son of Western Winter will be ridden by Weichong Marwing and is the undoubted class act in a mixed bunch. A nine-time winner, Snowdon comes off an eleven week rest after lumping 62 kgs into fourth place behind Stavinsky over the Vaal 1200m.
Snowdon has been generally confined to the sprints but has won up to a mile and on the premise that class will inevitably prevail, he warrants serious consideration.
Jockey Strike
Shadow Ofhis Smile has Striker in the saddle on turf return
Piere Strydom could be a key engagement for another Western Winter gelding in the race.
Geoff Woodruff’s 4yo Shadow Ofhis Smile has shown plenty of pace on the sand at his last three runs, but has failed to reproduce the acceleration he showed when winning twice on the turf.
He was beaten 0,35 lengths by Snowdon over the Vaal 1200m in May and meets the Ferraris galloper on the same weight terms. There will thus not be much between them, and Strydom may well swing the scales.
Woodruff has a second string to his bow in the form of the rather disappointing Var gelding, Sabadell.
Unplaced in his last few starts, he has tumbled from a lifetime high merit rating of 101 down to a 91, but will need plenty of improvement to feature.
Imperial
A much better bet could be Robbie Sage’s improving Judpot 4yo Sovereign Mint, who steps up in class after winning his last two starts rather smartly.
While not well in at the weights, he could still be ahead of the ratings and Robbie Sage is obviously testing him by throwing him in the deep end here.
Big Heart
Gavin Van Zyl’s Heart Of A Lion plodded last time when backed
Gavin Van Zyl’s gallant Seul Amour gelding Heart Of A Lion appeared to be in need of the run when handy but plodding when 8,50 lengths behind the talented Brooks-Club in an MR 96 Handicap over a mile last time.
He was backed into 22 to 10 favourite there and is a dangerous galloper, who may prefer the shorter trip.
He is a kilo worse off with Rushmore River after beating him 3,25 lengths in the Sea Cottage Stakes – but that form looks a touch dated in the context of this race.
Bradley Maroun’s 4yo Brad’s Surge is one of the better Surging River progeny in training, and he will strip fit after a solid staying on fourth behind Meissa over the course and distance last Saturday.
He is a genuine type of horse who could boost the quartets if getting his head in front of the top three.
The River Runs
Joey Soma saddles Rushmore River
Joey Soma saddles the promising Windrush gelding Rushmore River, who returns to action following a 34 week rest and a meritorious third placing when 4 lengths behind the Triple Crown champion Louis The King in the Listed Sea Cottage Stakes.
Rushmore River’s consistently good form speaks for itself and if not too much in need of the run, could well fill a place berth.
Off Form
While a course and distance winner, the one-time Zimbabwe resident Newton Power has failed to impress at his last few starts.
He never showed last Saturday when all of 7,75 lengths adrift of Meissa.
The son of Newton has won five races though, and is another who could snap up a place berth if things go his way on the day.
The Antonius Pius Max The Man looks outgunned and outclassed in this company and will need dramatic improvement since running a modest 9 lengths off Vulcan in an MR 90 Handicap at the Vaal.
Shadow Dancing
In a race with plenty of pace, Shadow Ofhis Smile could benefit from Strydom in the saddle and a return to his turf hunting ground.
Snowdon is a high-class fellow, who has met and beaten better than what he meets here.
The best of the balance could be Heart Of A Lion and Sovereign Mint.
