The unfortunate withdrawal earlier today of Sean Tarry’s Thunderstruck may have presented the Gr3 Tony Ruffel Stakes on a platter for Summerveld trainer Nathan Kotzen and his Pathfork gelding Royal Victory.
Royal Victory ran a creditable race in the Gr2 Jonsson Workwear Dingaans last time. He should have finished closer to the winner that day as he hung outwards in the closing stages.
It must be noted that multiple horses from that form line have come out and won since. He jumps from pole position in a five-horse field at 14h35 and should return to winning ways.
Nine races are carded at Turffontein, including three feature events.
The first is due off at 12h15.
Rock The Fox (white cap) goes down narrowly to Canadian Summer in the Gr1 Thekwini last term – she can register her second win today (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Sean Tarry could get some compensation for the Thunderstruck disappointment when he saddles Rock The Fox in the Gr3 Three Troikas Stakes. She showed some signs of a form return in the Gr3 Tab4Racing Fillies Mile last time.
She raced from a handy position and stayed on at the finish.
It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. The daughter of Canford Cliffs gets the blinkers fitted for the first time which should keep her mind on the task at hand. She will be mowing down the frontrunners and may be the one to beat.
| Weather | Mostly sunny with 40% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, 14 to 25 degs. 11 to 19km/h north westerly cross/head wind. Sunset@ 7:04pm | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainfall | Last 24 Hours: 6mm | Last 7 Days: 62,5mm | |
| Irrigation | Last 24 Hours: Nil | Last 7 Days: Nil | |
| Penetrometer Reading | 26 | ||
| Track Condition | Good to soft | ||
| False Rail | Zero on the back straight to 4,5m on the bend with a 4,5m spur at the 700m mark. | ||
- The Bipot starts in the second race at 12h50
- The Place Accumulator starts in the third race at 13h25
- The Pick 6 starts in the fourth race at 14h00
- The first Jackpot starts in the fifth race at 14h35
- The second Jackpot starts in the sixth race at 15h05
