Trainer Paul Peter went from leading the championship to second behind reigning Justin Snaith after the latter had an imperious Queen’s Plate weekend bagging all Graded features in the Western Cape.
But Peter, who is looking for his first title, must be commended for keeping his stable ticking over with regular winners and high strike rate for multiple seasons and he looks the man to be with on Sunday at Scottsville.
Astrix has been most unlucky not to pick up a Highveld feature of late. He has run second in the Grade 2 OnamissionMile, third in the Grade 3 Victory Moon and third again in the Grade 3 London News Stakes. He could finally get some consolation in the Listed Michael Roberts Stakes as he has drawn well and the field he takes on is not as strong as those he has recently taken on. The average merit ratings of the above-mentioned features was as follows: 110, 111 and 107 while in the Michael Roberts it is 98.
The race is usually a thriller and can boast some very useful individuals. In fact, Snaith-trained Crown Towers is best in at the weights, and while he is one from one over the course and distance, his running style and racing record suggests he should only hold the title of Greyville specialist.
Tristful would be deserving and he is of the calibre of Crown Towers, Astrix and a few others but he has again been given a tough task jumping from stall No 12. Include these and dark horses Capoeira and GG’s Dynasty to catch Trifectas and Quartets.
Peter’s day should start the day off with the bang as he looks to have placed Maradiva well in Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1000m. The Twice Over three-year-old was ready to win finishing second in his last two before the year’s end and that form has worked out well with three subsequent winners coming from them.
Add to that the fact Maradiva will be having his first run after gelding and looks too good for local opponents Guy Fox, Ndaka and McCartney.
Preview by Clive Robinson
