Bettors face an intriguing eight-race card at Turffontein on Wednesday 27 April when racing takes place on the Inside track.
Most of the contests are highly competitive and while that makes finding winners even more challenging, the rewards for students of form should also be much greater.
In Race 5, a Class B MR 96 Handicap over 1200m, ten runners are carded to go to post, but is seems that Alula’s Star could be the one that shines brightest.
This three-year-old filly is one of the stars in Stuart Pettigrew’s stable. Her only unplaced effort in her career spanning ten runs so far was in a Grade 3 sprint over 1100m last time out when finishing fifth.
On that occasion she was uncharacteristically slow out the gate and settled right at the back of the pack from where she never found a running line, forced to shift out twice.
As the highest rated runner in the field she faces on Thursday, she will undoubtedly go all out to prove that that effort is no more than just a blip on her performance chart, rather than the start of a new trend.
It is interesting that regular rider apprentice Philasande Mxoli has been replaced by Kabelo Matsunyane, who gets his first chance aboard this Red Ray filly.
Most likely to chase her all the way to the line is Spanish Boy, trained by Lucky Houdalakis. This Silvano gelding has an excellent record over the course and distance. However, he does tend to find one better more often than not, proven by his seven runner-up finishes compared to his three wins from 26 outings.
David Nieuwenhuizen’s Mill Queen is in hot form and if sticking her nose in front from pole position, could prove hard to haul in. She just ran out of steam last time out over this course and distance in a Class A event against a slightly stronger field.
Having last won more than a year ago, Mill Queen’s Merit Rating has dropped to 96 from a peak of 112. At this rating, and judged on current form, a return to winning ways won’t come as a surprise.
Others, like Captain Morisco and Bowie, could feature, but Alula’s Star gets the nod.
Clive Robinson
