It is always heartening to see a small yard with a quality horse, one that could be competing in the country’s premier races.
Shane Humby could have his hands on one. Command Control took a few runs to open his account, winning late as a mature four-year-old. Unfashionably bred, he was expected to bag maybe another one or two victories in his career.
But his trainer is legendary for allowing horses as much time as they needed to mature. Command Control notched up three impressive wins recently and he doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon.
With an easy win on the turf last time, that kind of prep should make him hard to beat back on the Polytrack at Greyville on Tuesday when he contests Race 6, a MR 82 Handicap over 1900m.
Carl Hewitson is another trainer with a stable doing well of late and his horse in Race 5, a Maiden Plate over 1800m, looks the one to beat. Triton was unlucky to lose his last start as his rider dropped the reins at a crucial stage and Triton was also carried in, but of more importance is that he had horses like Stateofusa, Sir Theodore (who re-opposes) and Duke Of Orange behind him and all those mentioned are headed the right way for their first wins.
Sir Theodore came in for solid betting support and came on nicely, but he has now finished behind Triton on two occasions and looks held.
Cashew was only beaten a neck by highly regarded Evening Primrose who impressed in a strong race recently, so it is strange to see her still in the maidens two runs later. She has a wide draw in Race 4, a Maiden plate for fillies and mares over 1400m but has brilliant tactician Muzi Yeni up and is selected to keep going for the win.
She races for the start-up yard of brother-and-sister partnership Wayne Badenhorst and Barbara Kennedy.
Preview by Clive Robinson
