Kelly Mitchley had a great 2023/24 season, and the good form is set to continue. Torix Night and Launch Code, both ridden by under-rated jockey Sandile Khathi, should go close in their respective heats on Tuesday at Fairview racecourse.
Torix Night showed potential in KwaZulu-Natal but was kept to shorter distances and seemed to not be progressing. In his last start there he was finally tried over distance on the Polytrack and he finished a respectable 1.55 lengths behind improving Code Of Conduct, showing he wanted ground.
It was an encouraging run, and back on the Polytrack in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1900m, after a close-up local debut effort on the turf, he should have every chance.
It was significant that Richard Fourie had been booked to ride in that penultimate start and there was plenty market support for him. The gelded son of Vercingetorix, sire of 2024 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Oriental Charm, now meets a weak field and Khathi should have little work to do aboard the best weighted runner.
Launch Code rates a value proposition in Race 5, a Classified Stakes run over 1600m. Even though running out an easy winner when switching to poly he has since been kept to the turf and last time out from an advantageous pole position ran no kind of race. He has shown a dislike for turf but back on the poly he could be dangerous again.
The gelded son of brilliant but ill-fated stallion Lancaster Bomber also has a liking for the distance having won and placed five times over it.
But keep an eye out for Heknows who is difficult to pass when in the mood. His last run, however, suggests he may have gone off the boil and he has drawn a bit wide this time.
Another horse on whom it may be worth having a solid each-way flutter is Raising Quinn for trainer Juan Nel in Race 4, a MR 70 Handicap for fillies and mares run over 1600m. The six-year-old bay mare is dropping in class and looks to be well placed against the field she meets.
She has been running in stronger contests and has also not been far off against males.
She moved up the likely winner when pipped by Global Rush who has been in very good form. Likely favourite Get It Done won her last two in this division in close calls and could have her work cut out with a horse like Raising Quinn, but Beau Kala ran a good race from a rest and she could be the one to catch stripping fitter this time.
Clive Robinson
