Clive Robinson
It is not too often one finds a Maiden Plate headed up by a runner with a merit rating of 105.
However, that is exactly the case in Race 3 at the Vaal on Tuesday where Now I Got You lines up for the 1600m event up the Vaal straight.
After finishing a 0.90-length second behind Mercantour on debut in a Juvenile Plate, trainer Corrie Lensley took his charge off to KwaZulu-Natal to contest a couple of feature races for juveniles, starting off with the Grade 1 Gold Medallion over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
Going off at 20-1, he produced a storming effort to finish a 2.90-length second behind Thunderstruck. After the success of that performance Lensley entered the son of Admiral Kitten into the BSA (Bloodstock South Africa) Sales Cup (Non-Black Type) for colts and geldings over 1300m at Hollywoodbets Greyville where only an exceptionally tactical ride by S’manga Khumalo aboard Mover And Shaker denied Now I Got You a victory by just a neck.
Lensley still had great belief in his charge and his next mission was the Grade 1 Premiers Champions Cup over 1600m. Although up with the pace for a lot of the journey, Now I Got You faded at the end to finish fifth, beaten 4.20 lengths by Cousin Casey.
That was a particularly strong field, and the winner was named Champion Juvenile colt based on his four victories from six starts.
While it might appear Now I Got You did not stay 1600m, it probably had a lot more to do with the strength of the opposition than his inability to see out the trip.
In any case, on breeding it should not be an issue and back in maiden company he should prove very hard to beat.
Gavin Lerena has picked up the ride for the first time.
There are a couple of interesting opponents, the first being Battleground who had a promising first run. The Lucky Houdalakis-trained son of Futura raced over 1400m at the Vaal and after losing some ground at the start, finished strongly to end up fifth, four lengths behind Without Equal.
He should come on with that run and should appreciate the step-up in trip. He must be respected, especially with Khumalo in the irons.
The other is Bronze Sword, an unraced son of Silvano, who could have some ability so keep an eye on the betting.
