Frank Robinson appears to have two promising three-year-olds in his care in Mexican Pete and Sovereign State, both unbeaten at this stage. Mexican Pete was due to clash with stable mate Sovereign State ten days ago but was scratched by the stable. It was a small field and one suspects that he was left in to keep the race alive. That’s pure speculation but he now lines up in handicap company after making a super impressive debut that garnered him a lofty 90 rating. He has a big weight to shoulder but does appear to have some class about him over what Robinson said would be an even more suitable trip.
Mexican Pete is likely to be a popular exotic bet banker. Clinton Binda is back in town with Fish Eagle whose only win has been on the poly. He had a tough draw on the turf last run and can do better from gate 2. Teichman still has some ginger in his legs as he goes for his 51st outing and he was not far back at his last two. Muzi Yeni has missed out on the ride on Mexican Pete to stay with Agressivo and the Wright yard but he could be watching from the rear.
There are only seven races carded and Tienie Prinsloo can get the afternoon of to a winning start. One Smart Cookie goes on the poly for the first time and does not have the best of the draw, but she showed promise on debut before disappointing in the soft on the turf next time out. The poly should be right up her alley. The Sean Tarry-trained Cue The Rebel has not missed a cheque in four starts and also goes the poly for the first time. She was a beaten even money favourite last run but finished behind One Smart Cookie at her penultimate start. When Evening Comes has also drawn wide but has been consistent on the poly and the stable is in form.
Only seven runners face the starter in the second but there are plenty in with chances. Mythical Tune is a long-time maiden but has been unlucky on occasion. Duncan Howells has stayed with four-claimer James Lihaba and she gets first time blinkers. Madame Pompadour was a beaten favourite at her last two. She stays the trip and the switch to the poly could see her make amends. Candice Dawson has sent the filly Courageous down from the Highveld to taste the poly. She has shown recent improvement and the change of surface could bring out the best.
The third is a tricky handicap. The visiting Nazare from the Candice Dawson yard is never far back and has done well on the poly in the past. He has steady recent form over the trip and should make a bold bid. Intrepid steps out over a mile for Alyson Wright and looks the pick of her two runners given the jockey bookings. The five-year-old has shown some fair form over sprints on this surface and the step up in trip could be what he’s looking for, for his fifth win. Glen Kotzen saddles Famous And Rich who has a wide draw to contend with but has been up against stronger of late. He ran a fair race on the poly last time out but a big weight and the draw are a concern.
The fifth is another open handicap but former Gr2 winner Love Bomb has tumbled down the handicap and took a further two-point drop after her last effort. However, prior to that she was beaten less than two lengths by the promising Asiye Phambili and with only 55.5kg to shoulder she could finally land another win. Magical Flight finished ahead of Love Bomb in that race but is now 3kg worse off in the weights. But Sean Tarry’s mare goes well on the poly and cannot be written off lightly. Reckless Love had her three-race winning streak broken last time out but was beaten less than a length. She has a handy weight and is at home on the poly. Aquae Sulis looks held on form but has also been dropping in the handicap. She is a giant of a mare and with only 51kg to shoulder she should get in a blow.
In the sixth Morgan La Fay is something of a poly specialist, her last two wins coming over course and distance. The Whitehead stable is in good form and Muzi Yeni keeps the ride. It may be worth taking note of two blinkers strikes. Acacia’s Blossom has a tricky draw but Louis Goosen’s decision to fit first time blinkers could bring out the best. She has been running consistently but he obviously thinks that she is capable of better with Chase Maujean still at the helm. National Star finished within a neck of Acasia’s Blossom when last they met and Sean Tarry has also resorted to blinkers. There should not be much between the two except that National Star has a better gate.
In the last, Poursomesugaronme has been consistent and goes well on the poly. Dennis Bosch has removed the blinkers and booked a 4kg claimer from a good draw. She should at least make the frame. Fort J’Adore won her last two but is now 3kg worse off with Poursomesugaroneme which should be enough to turn the tables. Spirited Flight made sudden improvement at long odds last time out on the turf. If she can repeat that effort she will be in with a chance. Perfect Appeal has consistent poly form and cannot be left out of any exotic bets.
