Former Gr1 winner Love Bomb has been the bane of trainer Frank Robinson’s life. It has not been for a lack of trying but the mare has been battling for her fifth win, handcuffed by the handicappers and bad luck.
Robinson switches her to the Hollywoodbets Scottsville turf next Wednesday after a string of poly track and at her last outing over the quick five furlongs she came from a long way back to finish a close-up third. The blinkers go on in desperation but the extra furlong will be in her favour and she can finally get her desserts.
Richard Fourie, well on track for the 334 winners that he needs this season to break the record and a R1 million payday rides Convocation for Gareth van Zyl. The filly took on stronger last time out but she did have a 4kg claimer aboard and a light weight. That was also her first run back after a lay-off which is not always ideal in some form-followers eyes. Aisling ran a shocker under Fourie last time out and he has jumped ship. However, Paul Gadsby’s mare is way better than that showing and would not be a surprise winner if drawing a line through that outing.
The sixth is a competitive handicap where you take a chance or go big in your exotic bets. Ice Sunsation has been knocking on the door for some time now and looks nicely weighted. Andre Nel’s mare has also drawn pole over a course that she knows well. Lucky Miss seldom runs a bad race and goes well over course and distance and should be right there again for Duncan Howells. Dark horse is Grandi Orecchie who has been off the course since August last year but Gareth van Zyl has pitched her in over a mile. She is clearly smart and it could pay to watch the market. Foreshore has been disappointing of late but can never be written off as a no-hoper while Lady Heist faces a number of old rivals but is 2.5kg worse off with Ice Sunsation and has a tricky draw to overcome.
The seventh is a wide open handicap but Pinstripe took on way stronger last run from a testing draw and is down in class. She has a big weight but apprentice James Lihaba takes 1.5kg off her back and she can get home for Duncan Howells. Theappleofmyeye may just have found her last run a touch out of her compass but Richard Fourie stays with the ride over two furlong shorter. Elegant Act took an age to win her maiden and costly for a few dud bets but she was consistent and can follow up in this company. Free Will comes from the in-form Gary Rich stable and drops a further two pounds in the handicap. With a light weight she can make it into the money.
There are many first timers in the card opener so the usual advice is to keep an eye on the market. Of those that have run, Soho Star started at long odds over course and distance for Yogas Govender and nearly caused a major boil-over finishing a narrow second. With the added experience, a repeat of that effort could see him close again. Famous Warrior found strong market support on debut but obviously ran well below expectations. He will most certainly improve on that showing for Michael Roberts. Care Forgot takes on males but was well beaten on her debut behind the smart Almond Sea on the Highveld. She has been rested but should come on from that effort. First timer comments from their trainers suggest that both Cats Pajamas and New Frontier are expected to make an impression.
In the second, Mike Miller holds a strong hand with Mr Nibbles and stable rider Tristan Godden likely on the ‘right’ one. He improved nicely second time out and should be cherry-ripe for this race. The Specialist was very green on debut and did find some market support. MJ Odendaal has Fourie aboard so one can expect some decent improvement. Act Of Genius is another from the Miller stable. He has shown ability but has been rested and may need this outing.
Robinson sends out The Mikado in the opening leg of the Pick 6 and the gelding made a smart debut, racing green and coming from way back to run second. The extra furlong should suit. Havana Moon, another from the strong Mike Miller yard, came on nicely second time out and with the benefit of experience he must have a strong chance. Dapper raced green in a smart debut over course and distance and should come on with the experience and is another to consider.
Robinson has another strong chance with Star Of The Future in the fourth. He the gelding returns from a break but showed up well on debut. Avro Prince could be a threat in spite of starting at long odds at his second outing and was not beaten far. Garth Puller looks to have him in a good space and he should feature in this field.
Dynasty, a former Vodacom Durban July winner and top sire has Dynasty’s Last as a swansong. The filly has been a late starter but made marked improvement at her second outing when sent over a mile. Louise Goosen has engaged Fourie and she can make the required improvement. Tomyris has gone close at her last two over this course for Gareth van Zyl who appears to have picked the right race. The extra furlong should suit and although she has drawn widest of all, there are only nine runners in the race.
