In some ways stakes races tend to out the handicappers on the spot. With runners meeting at fixed weights, one often faces a situation where certain horses are out at the weights based on merit ratings.
As long as the course and distance suits, and the runner concerned is reasonably fit, the best-weighted runner comes in with a huge advantage.
But that might not be the case in Race 6 at Turffontein on Tuesday, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1200m on the Inside track.
With fillies and mares receiving a sex allowance, it comes as no surprise that five-year-old mare Bon Vivant holds that position for this race.
However, she is 1kg better handicapped than Star Coin, 1.5kg with MK’s Pride and 2kg with Bard Of Avon, Infinite Wonder and Paisley Park. But it is the next runner down, Captain Hindsight, who could come out best in this event.
He might be 2.5kg under sufferance with Bon Vivant but he is in top form currently. Although seven years old, this Captain Of All gelding has found a new lease on life since joining Tony Peter’s yard, having won both of his starts for his new stable.
While both have only been by narrow margins, his last victory, when beating Moonshiningthrough, was more convincing than the 0.70-length distance suggests. Despite being cut into during the running of the race, he rallied strongly to win well. He carried 62kg on that occasion but will have 8kg less on his back this time and as this 1200m is raced around the turn, he is perfectly drawn in barrier No 2.
Chase Maujean rode him to victory last time, and Peter has engaged him once again for the ride. While he has won at the course, Captain Hindsight has yet to win over the course and distance but his four runs over track and trip have resulted in a second, a third and two fourths.
MK’s Pride would undoubtedly prefer a little further but he is unbeaten in three starts at this course. He comes back from a 58-day break, his last run coming in the Grade 1 Champions Cup over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
Robbie Sage’s charge could well run fresh and as he is the class runner in the field, he must be taken seriously.
He jumps from barrier No 7 and Denis Schwarz takes the ride for the first time.
Muzi Yeni usually rides MK’s Pride but this season he has been riding predominantly for trainer Roy Magner and this time he will be on Bard Of Avon for that stable. Yeni had an association with this Var gelding when he was trained by Ashley Fortune, who has since emigrated to Australia, and has a decent record on the five-year-old.
He has ridden him six times for three wins, a second and a third, the only unplaced run coming in his last start, which was over this course and distance.
However, he had excuses as it was in a far stronger field than this, it was his second run after a layoff, and he was drawn widest of all at No 11. But he was only beaten four lengths and from No 5 draw in a weaker field and with 50.5kg on his back, Bard Of Avon has to be a serious contender for top honours.
Clive Robinson
