Dean Kannemeyer took a gamble when running French Flame in the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes on the last day of the season. He was well aware that if his charge did not win but finished anywhere near the winner French Flame would be due a rating hike. The gelding only managed eighth place beaten six lengths but still garnered a seven-point penalty.
Kannemeyer appears to have picked the right race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday but it remains to be seen if he can run up to his new mark. Duncan Howells has always rated Kitchakal as a decent horse before he was whisked away to Cape Town for the summer season without much luck. He is now back and at his first run back for his original stable he was touched off by Harley Street and Down By The River. He is now better off with both and has a much more forgiving draw.
Officer In Command beat Command Pilot when last they met and is still somehow still comfortably off at the weights!
The card opener is a competitive maiden but Ayuwi Yuwi has shown up well in both starts on this course. She is also lightly raced and Athandiwe Mgudlwa has jumped ship on Blowin In The Wind to ride for Garth Puller. The lightly raced Lightinthedarkness disappointed when trying further on the poly. Her best effort has been over course and distance and first time blinkers with Rachel Venniker’s allowance could see Dennis Bosch’s filly home. Frikkie Greyling will be looking to Hurricane Cat to break the ice and give him is first winner since taking out his trainer’s brief again. She is a fast filly with a quick action but ran out of steam late when touched off last run. The blinkers go on. Blowin In The Wind is well tried but has shown ability and has a money chance.
In the first leg of the Place Accumulator Jet Lavish has drawn a little wide but failed narrowly to cause a major boil-over at his last start when only caught late. Kom Naidoo likes his horses to race handy so the field will almost certainly be chasing. Umzolozolo has been improving with each outing and has shown promise in both starts over course and distance. Given more solid going she should make her presence felt. Laugh Till I Cry has started favourite in two of her three starts and disappointed. Her last two were in yielding going and from her pole position draw she could make amends.
Alec Laird has a string in KZN avoiding the hard going on the Highveld at this stage of the winter. He saddles Quantum who made a smart return to the track after a lengthy break when second in the Off To Stud Stakes (Listed) over course and distance. She was closing fast on the well-weighted Mascherina and a repeat could see her go one better although the second run after a lay-off does loom large. Faizah goes well on this course and although down in trip she looks capable of another big effort. Gareth van Zyl has a second string to his bow in Vihaan’s Queen. Her recent form has been on the poly but she is a winner over course and distance. Bosnay showed early promise but has been disappointing of late. A recent change of stables can ignite the spark in Naidoo’s filly.
Plaza Accord could be one of the better bets on the card as he takes a big drop in class but also takes the corresponding jump in the weights. Although drawn widest, Peter Muscutt’s runner has useful form in strong company and looks the part. The gray Voldemort has drawn at the other end of the gates. Alyson Wright’s runner has been close-up ever since his last win but may need some relief from the handicappers to get back to winning ways. Copper John was in need of his last run after a three-month break. He was not far off the winner and should strip a little fitter this time around.
Laird sends out Sun Riot in the sixth. The gelding had shown some promise before his last run in the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe but that run is best ignored as his rider rode with a broken stirrup leather. He has the best of the draw and may well prove a cut above this field. Phutulicious hardly runs a bad race and both wins have come over course and distance. He should pick up the pieces if Sunset Riot does not run up to expectations. Dark horse could be United Nation. He never featured in the Gr1 Gold Medallion but was obviously held in high enough regard to be entered in the race by Glen Kotzen after a comfortable maiden win on the poly.
The last two races are competitive handicaps. In the seventh Buster Keaton has been dropping in the handicap and Andre Nel’s runner could now be off a more competitive mark. He does take on a modest line-up. Fire Tonic has been taking on slightly stronger of late and his last two wins have come over course and distance although Stuart Ferrie’s gelding shoulder a big weight. Brave Voyager has been up and down in distance on the poly of late but will be dangerous on his best form. Cotton Ron took on stronger last outing but was close-up in this company at his penultimate start. Louis Goosen’s stable is in good form.
The last is a tricky race. Mark Dixon sends out Spirited Flight who looks well weighted for this event. Her last three runs have been in yielding going and with a handy galloping weight should make her presence felt. Rafeef’s Choice has been close-up in both recent starts over course and distance but does have the steadier of 61kg to shoulder, 6kgs more than Spirited Flight. Emerald Green has been coming to hand nicely and looks primed for a big effort.
