Frank Robinson seems to have a smart horse in Mexican Pete who can keep his clean sheet when he lines up in the Foresight Model Man Mile at Hollywoobets Greyville on Sunday.
Mexican Pete, a son if Master Of My Fate, has won both of his starts in facile fashion but now takes a step up in class as he faces some useful opposition of his own age. A win here will set him up nicely for a crack at the Highveld sophomore features. Mexican Pete was due to run last Wednesday but was scratched with stipes permission to allow him take his chances in this race. He takes to the turf for the first time and will be fully tested but from a good draw he looks capable of keeping his clean sheet. Robbie Hill saddles two runners in Canford Ice and Navaho Nation, the latter possibly the pick after following up his maiden win with a smart handicap success. Strathclyde was well supported on debut and Tony Rivalland’s colt obliged in comfortable fashion. Richard Fourie stays with the ride and the step up in trip should suit. King Pelles was a comfortable maiden winner after a promising sprint debut where he started at long odds. He should enjoy the extra furlong and cannot be overlooked.
The MBET.co.za Pinnacle Stakes is an intriguing affair where the form could prove difficult to decipher as many of the runners are making their seasonal debuts so it could be a case of class versus fitness. Winter Games is class having finished just over two lengths back to Sandringham Summit in the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe but that was back in July. However, he does have the best of the draw and a handy galloping weight and the Mike Miller stable is in form. The filly Canadian Summer takes on males but has never finished further back than second in her eight starts. Darryl Moore’s charge has had a longer break, not having been out since April, but again, she is a class act. African Skyline will be looking to snap a string of four second placings and go one better for Garth Puller. He was runner-up in a feature behind Pray For Rain at his last start and the pair meet again with African Skyline a kilo worse off at the weights. But the blinkers come off and Pray For Rain has a difficult draw. Gladatorian has run two smart races in top company for Stuart Ferrie but does have a big weight and a wide draw to contend with. Donquerari is not well weighted but is in good form. He does seem better over a furlong shorter but off bottom weight and a good draw he could pinch it. There are plenty others in with chances so keep an eye on the market.
In the card opener, Contra Fiscum has her first run for Duncan Howells after a string of promising Highveld performances. The change of routine could have the desired effect. Grecian Palace was much improved over course and distance with Weiho Marwing electing to drop her in trip and fit a tongue-tie. A repeat effort can see her close. Lady Of The Sword comes off a long lay-off and although not showing too much in her only starts she did find some market support. With Muzi Yeni up she looks the pick of Alyson Wright’s two runners.
The place accumulator starts with a difficult maiden with not much form to go on but Dean Kannemeyer has stepped Perfectly Picked up to a mile and her pedigree suggests that the trip should be more to her liking after a couple of sprints. Nonoti is battling but has run some fair races on occasion and can feature in this line-up. Nightingales Sing steps out over a mile on debut but Gareth van Zyl’s filly has a blue-blood pedigree and may be worth watching in the market.
In the first leg of the Pick 6, Imaginable has not been idle having his fourth start in the last two months and he has improved since Alyson Wright added blinkers. He is a lightly raced four-year-old and should go big again. Master Of The Turf showed good improvement at his second start and the step up in trip should suit. Robinson’s stable is also in good form. Ocean Palace takes on males but has found the money in all three of her starts. She has a light weight and must have a strong chance.
Reckless Love and Diana The Huntress do battle once again in the fourth with Wendy Whitehead’s charge now 1kg better off for less than a length beating. Reckless Love took on much stronger at her last start and can do better in this company although she does step up in trip as do most of the opposition. Diana The Huntress was a narrow winner last time out but that was only her second run after a lengthy break and she can still improve on that effort. These two look the principal contenders.
Harley’s Fate and Buster Keaton look the part in the fifth. Harley’s Fate has not been far behind when taking on stronger at recent outings. Nathan Kotzen legs up 4kg apprentice James Lihaba and coupled with a good draw the gelding looks to be in the right company. Buster Keaton has been in good form for Byron Forster, Andre Nel’s KZN assistant, and was a narrowly beaten favourite last time out. He takes a slight rise in class but goes well this course and distance. The Gliding Fish is down in class and showed steady form before that and Mark Dickson’s runner is over his optimum trip.
Peter Muscutt’s gelding Down By The River copped a hefty seven-pound penalty for running seventh, beaten six lengths in a Gr1 at the end of last season. Prior to that he was a comfortable maiden winner but he looks progressive and can round off the day although he faces some tough opposition. Master Josh was touched off by Wiley Riley when last they met and Alyson Wright’s gelding is now 1kg better off with his rival which should be enough to turn the tables. Winter Baron is well thought off by Garth Puller and the gelding has improved in blinkers. With a 4kg claimer aboard he cannot be left out of any exotic bets.
