Clive Robinson
Reigning champion trainer Justin Snaith is not giving up his title without a fight.
He has ramped up his relentless pursuit of log leader Paul Peter with just eight weeks of the 2021/22 racing season remaining.
Peter’s lead, once in excess of R4 million (stakes earned), has been narrowed to R3,5 million and could be closed even further after Saturday’s ‘Festival Of Speed’ at Scottsville, after which Snaith will turn his attention to Kenilworth on Wednesday 8 June for an eight-race meeting where he is likely to dominate.
Royal Mo colt Royal Aussie has finished second twice over 1200m and, with the step up to 1400m in Race 2 likely to bring about improvement, should get it right at the third time of asking in his first outing around the turn.
Grant van Niekerk, who rides Royal Aussie in the colours of last season’s champion owner Suzette Viljoen, and Snaith also team up with Tipsy Tarragon (another Viljoen-owned runner) in Race 3 over 1400m and should make it a quick double for the jockey-trainer-owner triumvirate.
A pleasing third on her introduction over 1200m, two-year-old Dynasty filly Tipsy Tarragon ought to confirm the promise of her debut with the benefit of that experience under her belt and the extra 200m likely – on pedigree – to bring about a better result.
Snaith has recalled Richard Fourie to partner Que Shiraz in Race 6 over 1600m. This three-year-old son of Querari has a win, a second and a third to show for his three starts under the in-form rider, so it’s little surprise Snaith has opted to reunite the pair.
Que Shiraz is a course-and-distance winner, has won in the soft and his style of running – to race on or near the speed – will be suited to the track with its shorter run-in.
Fourie also jumps back aboard well-bred La Folie Douce in Race 7, having partnered her to a debut success and a second place finish the last time he rode her over 1000m five starts ago.
The daughter of Silvano has held her form since, winning two starts back under a big weight over 1250m, and won’t be at all inconvenienced by the drop in distance to 1100m. On official ratings, she is the joint best-weighted runner in the race and should make another bold bid for Snaith, who will not let up in his efforts to deny Peter a maiden trainers title.
