Bread and butter fare it may be, but the Northern Cape played host to the major attraction of last weekend, with Saturday the highlight of the Flamingo Park Festival. Three exciting non-black-type feature races entertained us, with Seattle Skyline and Bright Flame looking to be two names for the black book. Both won like horses with plenty left over in the tank!
As explained previously, August is a quiet month on all fronts. But a winner is a winner whether backing a Grade 1 or a Maiden – so let’s enjoy what the coming week has to offer.
The week starts with the first of nine races on the Fairview Polytrack today – off time is carded as 12h00.
While Greg Cheyne and Alan Greeff will be the combination to follow after a big start on Friday, their neighbour Tara Laing could hold the best-bet ace in the form of LARRY JACK.
The former Dean Kannemeyer-trained son of Jackson showed an appreciation for the mile with a smart course-and-distance effort last time out. He is not too well-drawn, but Collen Storey will be full of confidence after his feature win at Flamingo Park last Saturday and has the experience to overcome that hurdle.
On Tuesday, the first of two Vaal meetings are held.
The Australian-bred POWERED BEAUTY steps up to the 1800m again after his fluent mile victory last time and Muzi Yeni retains the ride. The son of Fastnet Rock has won 3 from 13 starts and has proven consistent. He could have the measure of this lot.
The KZN midweek action is at Hollywoodbets Scottsville where eight races are carded on Wednesday.
Wendy Whitehead’s superbly consistent LIQUID IRISH is the likely Pick 6 anchor in the last race when she takes on nine beatable-looking opponents over the 1400m. She has proven versatile on both surfaces and has her first outing at Scottsville.
The midweek menu is rounded off at the Vaal on Thursday with eight competitive races.
Sean Tarry and Denis Schwarz team up with the overdue PIDGEON ROCK in the third race. The son of Seventh Rock has been running on and threatening to win and this could be his day.
ORCHID STREET and the 5-year-old maiden INSIDE POLITICS look to be his major dangers.
Enjoy the week and we will chat again on Thursday in advance of the weekend.
Till next time!
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Fairview Polytrack (05/08)
Race 1 – COVE FORT (8)
Jockey: Teaque GOULD – Trainer: Alan GREEFF
COVE FORT has been fancied in the betting in both of his runs to date and has not finished too far off the winner. He lost two lengths in his latest start and was staying on at the finish which would suggest that he will enjoy the slight rise in distance here.
Vaal (06/08)
Race 4 – PINK (6)
Jockey: Kabelo MATSUNYANE – Trainer: Lucky HOUDALAKIS
PINK has been narrowly beaten in her last two starts and will get 1.5kgs removed from her back thanks to her claiming apprentice. Her only win to date did come over this c&d.
Hollywoodbets Scottsville (07/08)
Race 8 – LIQUID IRISH (3)
Jockey: Stuart RANDOLPH – Trainer: Wendy WHITEHEAD
LIQUID IRISH has solid form to her name and is yet to finish further back than second, in her five runs to date. Even from a poor draw, she looks too strong for this field.
Vaal (08/08)
Race 2 – AFROSTAR (1)
Jockey: S’manga KHUMALO – Trainer: Joey RAMSDEN
A small but very competitive Pinnacle Stakes field will face the starter here. AFROSTAR has her peak run on Thursday and should have no problems coping with the drop in distance from her last start victory over seven furlongs. It is always encouraging when Gavin Lerena retains the ride.
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Thursday 8th August 2019
Vaal Turf
Race 1 – 12:20
1200m – Workriders Maiden Plate (Fillies)
8 – Captain’s Legacy
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Marcell Pillay
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 9(13)
Predicted Betting: 33/1
She hasn’t shown much in her 10 starts so far and, as mentioned in previous pre-race comments, her time really is running out. Marcell Pillay takes the mount for this work riders event and, although still learning the ropes, he is a more than competent horseman. He has been filling the Assistant Trainer role for the Clinton Binda stable, over the past few months and he will know this filly well. She has shown minor signs of improvement in her last two starts, since having the blinkers fitted and we are hopeful that significant further improvement will be shown on Thursday.
Winning Form Comment: Modest form so far. Will need to improve to have a say.
