Clive Robinson
There are days in the world of horseracing where things just do not go your way.
That is exactly what happened to Team Gold in his last race. Jockey Raymond Danielson looked like he had done everything right as the three-year-old son of Twice Over started to charge home in a Graduation Plate over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track on 29 May.
All he had to do was get past leader Fast Love and the race was his. Unfortunately, Fast Love started to shy away from the crop and hung across the track, carrying Team Gold with him and impeding him severely.
That allowed Castletown to flash up down the inside and get up to beat Fast Love with Team Gold in third. An objection was lodged by Team Gold’s trainer, Roy Magner, against Fast Love which was quickly upheld, and Team Gold was placed second.
Of course, that did little to placate those who had lost their money backing the 18-10 favourite but there is some light on the horizon. They will have a second bite of the cherry in another Graduation Plate over the same course and distance on Sunday, as Team Gold will be in action once again in Race 5.
Team Gold still has the advantage of being the best weighted runner in this line-up.
Raymond Danielson, who has won aboard Team Gold, takes the ride again and will be looking for some redemption for what happened last time.
Twice As Splendid is an interesting runner and he has good form at the course but will be going this distance for the first time. Has won twice, the first over 1160m on the Standside track at Turffontein and the second over 1000m on this course around the turn.
Grant Maroun’s runner does have a 1.5kg apprentice allowance to help him along but it will all come down as to how he handles the distance.
Fast Love is actually the second best-weighted runner, but he should be held by Team Gold on their last run. However, Gavin Lerena takes the ride this time and the stronger handling could make a difference.
Tuscan Winter has a record of two places in two runs over the course and distance so that must bring him in with a chance, but he does first have an engagement on Thursday over 1160m on the Standside track so the outcome of that race needs to be taken into account.
