Miss Consistency. Demanding Lady looks to add to her great record when she contests the Gr3 Acacia Handicap
If Mike De Kock doesn’t get lucky, then Lucky could get him. We are referring to the R175 000 Gr3 Acacia Handicap to be run over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday, where the De Kock stranglehold runs true again. But that man Houdalakis may have a plan to stop the avalanche.
There is so much about this Saturday at Turffontein that smacks of a Mike De Kock benefit afternoon again. But the predictability has been known to go pear shaped on the odd occasion and there are plenty of capable trainers lurking in the shadows ready to step into the limelight.
Lucky Charm
Lucky Houdalakis could be one of the lucky few on Saturday. He sends out the extremely consistent and very capable Demanding Lady from a nice draw of 4. The daughter of Dynasty has won five races and been placed at every one of her other nine starts. That is 14 cheques safely banked and what a dream of a horse to own for her R135 000 purchase price!
Demanding Lady won a cracker at her penultimate start in the Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge over Saturday’s course and distance when forging clear to beat Louvre and the Gr1 winner, Happy Archer. She also had her main rival on Saturday, Amur Affair beaten by 1,50 lengths at level weights.
Smart Affair
Amur Affair will be ridden by Anton Marcus on Saturday and meets Demanding Lady on 2kgs better terms. Amur Affair heads a powerful De Kock trio that includes the Australian bred Bluroute and the older mare, Checcetti.
Bluroute showed a welcome return to form at her last outing when flying up late to be held by subsequent feature winner, Sky Pirate. That was an excellent effort after a nine month break, and the daughter of Dubai Destination should be much fitter come Saturday. A glance back on Blueroute’s formline shows a splendid Listed Secretariat Stakes second placing to subsequent Sansui Summer Cup winner, Wagner.
Checcetti carries topweight and is up from KZN for the season. The 2012 Jacaranda winner ran a fair fifth in this race last year behind her stablemate Europa Point, and is capable of showing improvement again as she tends to in Gauteng.
Confirmation? Mike De Kock’s Bluroute has her second run after a long rest and needs to confirm her wellbeing
Malicious
Uncle George Scott’s Jet Master mare Without Malice is looking for her ninth career win, and is a dangerous and powerful front runner, who will relish the fight here from her favourable draw. Although held by Demanding Lady, she could be dangerous if allowed to dictate matters out front.
St John Gray’s Formation has an excellent track record of 7 wins from her 18 starts, and is at home on turf and sand. The daughter of Sarge comes in here on a galloping weight and is likely to go up and try and match strides with Without Malice.
Robbie Sage’s 4yo Daylami filly Kalami has found her form and while probably more comfortable at 1400m, could run on late into the money from a 10 draw. She found a powerful late burst last time when narrowly pipped by Without Malice over 1450m. She meets the Scott runner on 3kgs better terms, so is worth including in all calculations.
Good Cause
Sean Tarry’s Caseys Cause is an interesting runner, who carries just 50,5kgs courtesy of Doctor Sifiso Lembethe’s claim. The daughter of Lonhro is a 3 time winner from her 11 starts, and a multiple course and distance victor. She steps up in class, but could well be equal to the challenge and may represent some good value.
Wallace Tolmay’s Cyclone Michelle carries only 52 kgs with MJ Odendaal up. She looks a touch outclassed, but could run into minor place money at best.
No Demands
We are suggesting that Demanding Lady will continue with her impeccable earnings record and she could be the main threat to the De Kock express. If she is to be beaten, then Bluroute and Amur Affair could be the right two.
Caseys Cause is our value filly in the race with a light weight, and with a good pace guaranteed she could be running on at them late.
