Trainer Brett Crawford’s Pomodoro’s Jet should shine in his final prep for the upcoming World Sports Betting Grand Heritage while his magnificent speed specimen Raven Black could also be hard to beat if ready after a rest at the Vaal on Thursday 5 December.
The R500,000 Grand Heritage is to take place on 21 December and with many specialists nominated for the 28-runner contest, that race looks set to be a thrilling encounter.
Race 6 on Thursday, a Middle Stakes, is widely considered a prep race for the big one, as it is run over the same course and distance of 1475m.
Crawford’s Pomodoro’s Jet rates a serious contender if judged on his local debut when beaten 2.5-lengths by re-opposing Argo Alley. He was clear second-best finishing ahead of hard knockers such as Brave Viking, recent listed Summer Pudding handicap winner Lady Fallon, Fire ‘N Flames, Jury’s Out and Open Highway.
The last two mentioned are also in the race but have no respite in terms of the revised weights.
Argo Alley won down the inside of the track and may not have that advantage this time, so could struggle to go with Pomodoro’s Jet as he is a full 4kg worse off. Pomodoro’s Jet was very useful when racing in the Western Cape and he should start winning again.
One horse to include in all exotic bets is Captainofthegreen who could be a lot better than rated. The Fabian Habib gelding is unbeaten in two tries at the Vaal and form lines are working well with Happy Mo winning two since he beat her.
Once Raven Black was gelded, he imposed himself winning three in a row, the last two by wide margins. Interestingly he is also a Grand Heritage nominee but this athletic Master Of My Fate gelding looked headed for the top as a sprinter prior to a long layoff. He had an issue or two having been off for more than 400 days but according to his trainer, he is working well but may just need it.
Raven Black enjoys racing after a rest and could still be too good in Race 7, a MR96 Handicap over 1000m. It could also be worth including Karangetang, Chocolate Solider and Address The Nation to catch trifectas and quartets as all three boast race fitness and are in good form.
Habib should have a stranglehold on Race 8, a 1000m MR80 Handicap. Both John Wick, winner of two of his last three, and Blaze A Way should dominate.
Crawford’s Veldskoen ran a useful race last time but is clearly not a threat as he has yet to finish close up locally. While John Wick beat youngster Chieftain, who won a few starts later, the selection must be the Gimmethegreenlight gelding Blaze A Way who finished second to recent impressive winning three-year-old Karate Kid.
Clive Robinson
