Trainer St John Gray has had a terrific start to the season and he could have another decent day at the Vaal on Thursday.
His rejuvenated mare Risky Business goes for an unprecedented fifth consecutive win in Race 8, a MR74 Handicap over 1450m.
While she could defy the handicapper again and pull it off, it is his youngster Across The Pond who looks headed for black type success and she must surely be the form choice of the day when she lines up in Race 6, a FM91 Handicap over 1600m.
Three-year-old Across The Pond kept improving to win her maiden earlier as a young juvenile and was then placed in tough races. She looked lively and dangerous in some of those, but in recent months she looks to have more than strengthened up. The daughter of underrated sire Bezrin won her last two in a row in the manner of a horse headed for the classics and with just 53.5kg to carry she could make it three wins in a row.
Local horseplayers know what is around the bend of course. The Highveld Spring season has started and with it, upcoming exciting race days such as the Joburg Spring Challenge day (5 Oct) and the Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile day (2 Nov).
The action reaches its pinnacle on 30 November with the running of the R6-million Betway Summer Cup. It should pay to keep an eye out for horses being readied for those events.
One trainer who has an extraordinary strike rate on feature days is Sean Tarry and his yard is about to fire up, especially after having typically had a quiet off-season spell. All three of his young three-year-olds – Executrix (Race 2), Saudi Sweep (Race 3) and Exceedingly Glam (Race 4) – return from breaks having been given time to mature but it won’t be a surprise to see the trio prove dangerous.
Executrix has been quite speedy and tired late in both runs, she wasn’t far off progressive filly Francilien in her second start and could have strengthened up enough. But she is dropping in distance and may find race-fit Endizayo hard to catch so could be best followed in next time. The latter finished ahead of more experienced Basingstoke who won readily thereafter so her form line is looking decent. The boxed exacta could be the safe bet here.
Saudi Sweep has done little wrong and should also go close. After a decent debut over a distance short of her best she was deemed good enough to be taken to KwaZulu Natal where she ran fair races in tough events and was beaten by only a few in large fields. She runs in a Maiden Plate over 1450m where a few others with decent form could mean the quartet looks like easy pickings. All of Bella’s Charm, Greenhouse and Instant Attraction have the form to fight it out.
Exceedingly Glam was most eye-catching in her one start. She came from the clouds to finish ahead of Executrix when the pair made their debut back in June and she could be a lot better than rated. However, Hat Trick Or Treat should be super fit having been knocking hard at the door and has much in her favour in the 1450m Maiden. Multiple swinger and exactas should reward.
Clive Robinson
