Michael Roberts is by-passing the Highveld season with his champion See It Again for another tilt at the Western Cape season. He is also certain to cross swords with Charles Dickens which should make the season all the more interesting.
In the meantime, he makes his seasonal debut and a warm-up in a Pinnacle Stakes on the turf over a mile at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
See It Again did not get the best of rides when beaten by Princess Calla in the Champions Cup in is last start of the season but Michael Roberts has kept faith with Piere Strydom who will be keen to make amends. Roberts is sure to have left plenty of meat on the bone for the forthcoming season but See It Again is the best weighted by far and even if not fully wound up he should have this race at his mercy.
Byron Forster, KZN assistant to Andre Nel, was quietly confident of a big run from Cape Eagle in the recent Michaelmas Handicap and he was only beaten a neck behind the smart Royal Victory. A repeat could see him make things uncomfortable for See It Again who at this stage of his career may find the mile a tad on the short side. Captain Casey goes well over course and distance and is in good form for Tony Rivalland while Queue Wing looks held by Cape Eagle on their Michaelmas form but that was his first run in blinkers and he is 1kg better off.
While the main focus of the day will be on See It Again, the bookies will not be looking forward to the afternoon as the card presents some good bets starting in the card opener.
Witchwood has run two close-up seconds at recent starts and Tienie Prinsloo has penciled in Piere Strydom for the ride. It looks like a winning combination although the lightly raced Fire Phoenix was staying on well when not far back in fourth in her poly debut beaten a length by Witchwood. Gary Rich’s filly is a year older than her rival and back on turf must have a chance of turning the tables.
The Queen Bee has the widest draw in the second but unless there is a ‘springer’ amongst the first timers, Wendy Whitehead should continue her good form. The filly has been close-up in both starts and should go close again. Sea Of Tears is a long-time maiden but never too far back and could pose a threat.
The third is a tricky handicap with fillies taking on males. Robbie Hill has dropped Passage Of Power in trip but he is effective over the distance. He ran a cracking good race behind the smart Waterberry Lane last time out and a repeat will see him in the money. Duncan Howells holds a strong hand with the filly Oriental Bouquet who has winning credentials. She raced in Group company last run and although rested since she has plenty of ability and with useful apprentice Kobeli Lihaba taking 4kg off her back this will be a good warm-up before she heads for Cape Town. Southern Skies showed up well first run on the poly for her new stable. She is lightly raced and that last run should have sharpened her up after a break.
The Shepherd ran a cracker on debut behind the unbeaten Sovereign State and on the strength of that showing Peter Muscutt’s charge was favourite for his next start. However, he never got to start and was scratched at the gate. No doubt he has been reschooled and all going well he could prove a little too classy for this line-up in the fourth. Dark horse is Phutulicious who raced green on debut in a competitive maiden field and should come on for the experience.
In the sixth, Canford Ice was backed with some confidence to beat the hitherto unbeaten Sovereign State who takes on the some of the cream of the country’s sophomores at Turffontein on Saturday. Robbie Hill’s gelding was a well-beaten third but he is down in class and has a plum draw and his supporters can recoup some of their losses. Master Fuego made the expected improvement on his debut effort to win second time out. Dean Kannemeyer’s charge looks useful and can make further improvement. Shoefella finished just over a length back to the ever game Teichman last time out but is now 1.5kg better off. The two are drawn alongside each other and there should not be much between them. Shoefella races in first time cheek-pieces which could prove crucial.
Bosnay showed up well behind the promising Bomber Girl last time out and Darryl Moore seems to have found the right race for his filly when she lines up in the seventh. In opposition, Sea Goddess has the best of the draw and is down in class after a useful enough last effort on the poly. Her last win was on the turf. Aquae Sulis meets Diana The Huntress on the same weight terms when the latter was victorious. However, taking the 4kg apprentice claim into account Aquae Sulis could turn the tables
In the last Accumulate made good improvement when returning from a rest although she did start at long odds. She is Stuart Ferrie’s only runner on the day. Weststockmarketborse has been much improved in blinkers and was only run out of it late last time out. She should make another bold bid. Last Ginger and Style Icon both finished behind Weststockmarketborse in their last meeting but both have first time blinkers which suggests that they are capable of better.
