Whilst most will be enjoying a break on the Day of Reconciliation, it’s business as usual on the racing front. A Pinnacle Stakes at Greyville boasts the highest rated runners in midweek and although just eight go to post, it is nonetheless a very competitive contest, writes Steve Furnish.
The 7yo’s Intellectual and Good Thing share top weight, but they don’t share the same merit rating.
A bit of an enigma, Intellectual commands a very powerful turn of foot on his day, but it isn’t that often these days that he chooses to show it. He’s at his best over today’s distance, as five of his six career wins will attest. It is worth noting though, that he is yet to finish better than third in five starts at this circuit. Herman Brown’s charge returns from a five month break here and that has to be a concern. He is more than capable of winning a race like this though, and he is best in at the weights.
Wendy Whitehead’s charge Good Thing is 1kg out at the weights with Intellectual, but whereas there are question marks about that one, he is at the top of his game. He’s more often than not been seen out over 1200m over the past 18 months, but he has, interestingly, gained a half of his ten career victories over today’s distance. He has also, albeit over 1200m, won at this circuit. He should be involved.
Chigger Yellem
Bart Rice’s charge has not been at his best for a while and it is ten starts now since he last found the winner’s enclosure. Chigger Yellem has gained five of his six career victories over 1000m though, three of which were gained over today’s course and distance. He usually races handy and not too badly treated at the weights, should be thereabouts.
Tirade
Sparingly raced since making a winning debut in August ’08, Tirade has shown flashes of real ability. His most recent form has been a little in and out though, and he races here for the first time July. He has done well racing fresh though, and he is at his best over today’s distance. The booking of Anthony Delpech catches the eye and that would suggest that all is well. Watch the betting.
Tetelestai
The Bezrin colt Tetelestai has silently progressed very nicely during the course of this season. Indeed, he was taking on stronger when out at the weights in a similar event last time out and kept on determinedly in the latter stages to share with a top sort in Tropical Empire. Tetelestai is yet to win at this circuit, but he has made the frame in each of his four previous visits. He’s raced from the front in two of his most recent outings and although he is out at the weights again here, he could take some catching if adopting the same tactics.
Candy Tuft
One of three females in the event, Candy Tuft, amazingly, has only failed to miss a place in the Trifecta once in fourteen starts. She commands a very nice turn of foot and has caught the eye finishing strongly on a number of occasions. She can still improve and very fairly treated at the weights here could upset the boys. She does have a tendency to be a little slow into stride though and that is clearly one of the reasons as to why she is yet to win at this circuit.
Share The Silver
The ultra consistent Share The Silver has gained two of her three career wins over today’s course and distance. She was out at the weighs with some when winning a conditions event here last time out, where interestingly, Candy Tuft was only a short head behind her. They meet on the same terms here, but taking into account apprentice Gould’s allowance, Share The Silver is actually better off at the weights.
Take A Ride
The only 3yo in the race, Take A Ride progressed nicely as a juvenile last season and fully deserved her win in just her third start. She is badly out at the weights here though and having been well beaten after racing handy in each of her two subsequent outings, she is not easy to fancy.
About The Pace
With the runners setting off on the bend, a good pace is usually the norm over 1000m at this circuit. Tetelestai looks the most likely to lead them into the straight and on the evidence of his latest run, he is not going to be easy to peg back. Share The Silver and Good Thing are both at the top of their games at the moment and I wouldn’t be surprised if either won it. Although there are reasons why Candy Tuft should not win, she does have scope for improvement in my book and in what is clearly an open contest, narrowly gets the vote.
