The West Is Wide has shown signs of good ability
The Justin Snaith Racing machine has come out of the gates flying in the new season with a Gr1 success at Greyville on the opening day and seven winners in two meetings in Cape Town. It is only a matter of time before they catch alight in the Eastern Cape and with eight runners on the Fairview Turf this Friday, they must be included.
Their new retained jockey Bernard Fayd’herbe has made a great start for the yard with a strike rate of four winners and three seconds from his seven rides to date and the heavyweight rides the eight-time winner Blackmalkin in the afternoon’s feature, the non black-type R100 000 Speedsters Stakes.
Justin Snaith – flying start to new season
With shaky recent form and soundness concerns, Blackmalkin won’t be high on the priority list for many punters. He was not persevered with by Donovan Dillon at his last start, when running some six lengths behind surprise winner, Swift Wonder.
Nothing obvious was detected by the Vet regarding Blackmalkin and he steps out again here – but beware, as he is capable of throwing up a surprise.
It is ironically a former Snaith galloper that comes out top of our ratings in the Speedsters Stakes.
The Fort Wood gelding Bobby James has his second run for Alan Greeff, after winning 4 of his 26 starts for the Snaiths.
On breeding, he is an unlikely sprinter on paper, but goes well this trip and looks overdue to score again. He has run places at his last five starts – although it is of some concern that he has not managed a win in close on two years!
Bobby James stayed on well behind Swift Wonder when beaten a length, conceding 3kgs. On Friday Bobby James only has to give his conqueror 1kg – and that should bring them a lot closer.
The smart Swift Wonder had shown good early promise but his win last time was his first since 2013.
His trainer Yvette Bremner was questioned regarding the improved performance of the gelding compared to his previous start. She tendered the explanation that her charge was better suited to the 1000 metres and the fast pace that he had encountered.
His stablemates Al Don Cumarco and Benedict can both challenge for top honours.
Al Don Cumarco – fair Gr1 effort in KZN last time
Al Don Cumarco is something of a course and distance specialist and this fast improving son of Captain Al was not disgraced when travelling into the KZN Champions Season lion’s den and running just 6 lengths behind Captain Of All in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint.
He accounted for the high quality Unannounced over the course and distance at his penultimate start, and if over the stress and exertion of his travels, could bounce back to best.
The speedy seven-time winner Benedict has only won over 1000m.
Trainer Tara Laing enjoyed a terrific last season and saddles the topweighted The West Is Wide and the recent winner, Vauclair.
Formerly with Vaughan Marshall, The West Is Wide won the Gr3 Cape Nursery as a youngster but despite flashes of good ability, failed to fire and train on as anticipated.
The son of Western Winter won his opening Eastern Cape start beating Unannounced and has run three fair races since. This fellow can win this if putting his best foot forward.
Vauclair won well over the polytrack 1200m last time and comes to races a fit horse.
Raymond Danielson – rides The West Is Wide
Laing stable jockey Raymond Danielson was aboard last time but jumps ship to ride The West Is Wide – which may be an indicator of stable preference.
The eight-time winner November Rain is a capable speedster on his day and showed a flicker of a possible form return with an eyecatching fourth last time behind Swift Wonder.
A winner in three different provinces during his career, he could challenge at best.
Now 9 years old, the Bezrin gelding Tetelestai has only managed one win in the Eastern Cape since his 2012 arrival from KZN. That said, he has run some decent places and has a chance to clinch a back-end-of-the-quartet berth.
The Gavin Smith duo of Sedge and Icefire look longshot hopefuls at best on current form.
The Gr3 Champion Juvenile Cup and Listed East Cape Sprint Cup winner Sedge has proven a terrible disappointment, failing to train on after showing great potential – and not having won a race in over two years.
Shadlee Fortune – will be hoping to get Icefire into the money
The former Duncan Howells trained Icefire is a Spectrum entire and after a good win over the minimum trip, he has run three moderate races. With the claim of Shadlee Fortune and a galloping weight, there may be place prospects for him.
It is a tough little race to find the winner.
Bobby James looks very competitive off the 53kg mark and is likely to challenge strongly, with The West Is Wide and Al Don Cumarco in the mix.
The chances of an upset cannot be discounted and here the likes of Blackmalkin and Vauclair come into the picture.
Ed- Please note that the distance of race 3 has been reduced from 2400m to 2200m.
