Trainer Andre Nel is stepping out a few runners at Greyville on Monday that look certain to run big races in their respective heats.
He starts with Antico Amore in Race 1, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over1000m on the Polytrack. This Master Of My Fate filly has taken on stronger in the Western Cape and meeting battlers on the poly first time he could make a winning local debut. Nel’s comment listed in the racecard is quite positive: “Should be very competitive.”
Ice Sunsation was visiting the racecourse for the first time when she ran on strongly to beat more experienced individuals, stamping herself as above average. Her next start may have come a bit soon she got beaten by Time To Roll in a tough handicap over further.
Time To Roll has been a revelation in this province, and after winning a high-class race last week, rates the one to beat in Race 6, which says a lot for Ice Sunsation’s chances.
Ice Sunsation lines up in Race 3, a MR 78 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m, but she may need the run coming back from a rest so it might be worth including form horse Shape Of You, who has drawn best and is due a win.
Like Antico Amore, Velvet Season rates one of Nel’s stronger runners on the card. Interestingly this gelded son of Trippi has run 12 times on the poly for 10 places but has not won on the synthetic.
However, he was rated much higher and carrying more when not far behind the likes of Donald Mcdonald and Gentleman’s Wager who have gone on to win many more, including recent feature races.
Velvet Season now races in a MR 69 Handicap over 2000m and receives weight from most due to a 4kg claiming apprentice. He look a solid each-way bet.
His final runners, Airways Law (Race 7) and Razzle Dazzle Em (Race 8), have work to do in their respective races but looking closer, one can’t help get the sneaking suspicion they could also have their ways.
Airways Law was going for three on the bounce but didn’t enjoy switching to turf last time. This lightly raced sort has scope and could maintain his unbeaten record over 1600m on the poly even if meeting a half-decent field.
Well-bred Razzle Dazzle Rose did enough to shed her maiden tag in the Western Cape which is no mean feat during the Cape season and as such she may improve a lot on her poly debut a month ago. She meets a weak field.
Clive Robinson
