Antious – won the Gr2 Gauteng Merchants last time out
African Holly Handicap over 1000m at Clairwood on Thursday
Heading up a very busy program in midweek are non black type feature events at Clairwood and Flamingo Park. The African Holly Handicap tops the bill at the garden course on Thursday where only seven of the original 23 entries have stood their ground, writes Steve Furnish.
So who has scared most away? The rapidly improving Occhi Di Lupo was the first to be declared and the presence of the recent Gauteng Merchants winner Antious must also have been a factor.
Occhi Di Lupo
The grey son of Dupont Occhi Di Lupo has been going from strength to strength since shedding his maiden tag over today’s distance at Scottsville in July and has now won four in a row. What is a concern is that he was reported as being distressed post race last time out and he is now without regular partner Anton Marcus. He does have a very nice galloping weight of just 52,5kg here though, and if all is now well further improvement looks sure to be forthcoming.
Antious
After shedding his maiden tag over today’s course and distance back in Aug ’10, Herman Brown’s charge showed flashes of real ability and was thought good enough to contest the Gauteng Guineas. Antious proved costly to follow during his first season though, but since being gelded on 30th May, he’s really taken off. Indeed, he’s won all three starts this season in good fashion. He was particularly impressive when beating some top class equine athletes when reverting to sprint distances in the Gr2 Gauteng Merchants last time out and a repeat of that effort would make him hard to beat here.
Tetelestai
Heading the weights is the 5yo son of Bezrin Tetelestai. Rarely out of the frame, Duncan Howells’ charge has shown good improvement since finishing fifth in this race last season. Indeed, he’s won four of his last seven starts and amongst those successes was victory in the listed Umngeni Handicap over today’s distance. He’s already won three times over today’s course and distance and looks sure to be involved again here.
Mr Mickey Mouse
In total four of today’s runners ran in last season’s African Holly Handicap and the one who finished closest to the winner that day was Mr Mickey Mouse. Tony Rivalland’s charge raced up with the pace throughout and was only picked off in the dying strides. This son of Muhtafal has been sparingly raced since and is now without a win since completing a hat-trick in the Gr3 Golden Loom Handicap 14 months ago. He would have a shout if reproducing his second placing to Oriental Spirit when baulked for a run in his penultimate outing, but having been reported as lame on the off fore last time out one has to have concerns.
Oriental Spirit
Prior to a 14 months layoff, Dennis Drier’s charge was rated five points higher in the handicap than he is today. He’s been in good form since his return to action in October and he did have four of today’s runners behind him when successful in a pinnacle event over today’s distance in November. The weight turn around with three of those is quite considerable though, and on that he does look held.
The Walrus
Another to be racing off a mark a number of points below that of his former best is The Walrus. Bart Rice’s charge reached his peak during 2010 when completing a hat-trick in the KZN 1200m. He commands a nice turn of foot on his day and were he to reproduce his best form he would certainly have a shout. The Walrus is without a win in ten starts now and he might really prefer a tad further. He was running on stoutly when only beaten a length and a half on 4kg worse terms by Oriental Spirit over today’s distance in his penultimate start though, and on that he is not without a chance.
Tirade
The veteran Tirade has gained four of his five career wins over today’s distance. Since gaining the latest of those successes way back in Apr ’10 though, he’s failed to find the winner’s enclosure in 13 outings, and he is still racing off a mark one point higher than he was then.
About The Pace
Although just seven go to post, there is enough speed in the race to ensure a decent pace. Antious has taken off in no uncertain terms since being gelded and his win in the Gr2 Gauteng Merchants last time out did suggest that sprinting could well be his forte. The one to beat.
