After a rather quiet spell trainer Natie Kotzen had a lot to cheer about this festive season when he scored his second win for December on Boxing Day when S’manga Khumalo steered Top Honours to victory.
Khumalo, however, doesn’t seem to know the meaning of a quiet time, having visited the winner’s enclosure five times between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. No wonder everyone tries to get on the bandwagon whenever the jockey is in town.
On Wednesday 5 January the pair team up at Greyville with Perfect Appeal in Race 1, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m and she looks the right horse to build up a kitty.
In her penultimate she met a fair sort in the Dennis Drier trained Botz and that form line was franked recently when Ride The Lightning, who finished behind Perfect Appeal, came out to produce a strong finish to win. Perfect Appeal then beat a bunch of boys, finishing second to Estival.
Back against her own sex it will take a strong runner to beat her. That strong runner might just be Nkalanzinzi, as she has shown blistering speed. However, the drop in distance may just be Nkalanzinzi’s biggest hurdle while she also has a wide draw to overcome.
The verdict goes to Perfect Appeal for the win, with a swinger with Nkalanzinzi.
In Race 2, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1400m, Anton Marcus looks to be on the right horse. Winter Melody didn’t get the race run to suit last time but she looks the ideal type for the poly and should be hard to beat.
None of the other runners have finished close up.
The betting strategy is to take the double with Perfect Appeal.
Going one step further, a Pick3 with Eventidor in Race 3, a Maiden over 1600m, looks a very sensible option as this Elusive Fort colt rates the one to beat.
Another champion rider, Warren Kennedy, should get in the game aboard Eventidor. He rode the well-bred colt in his first start after making way for other jockeys, perhaps sensing he needed more time.
Eventidor was a flying second over 1900m last time out when he had a subsequent winner behind him in third. The form looks good.
Khumalo’s next best ride, Tiger Tank comes up in Race 5, where Kotzen will be hoping they double up. The horse bred for sprints has run either first or second in his last six on the poly over distance and he should run another cracker.
The rest of the race meeting is tough, and it should pay to go wide in the exotic bets.
Preview By Clive Robinson
