Frank Robinson had a weaker introduction into handicap company for his filly Mocha Blend in mind before the rains came and washed it all out. However, after Wednesday’s meeting he will know where his charge stands in the pecking order as she faces a much more competitive field than what she would have faced before the rain.
A good looking daughter of the largely under rated stallion Ideal World, she is a smart specimen and shed her maiden in impressive fashion at just her second start. The winner of that race is lightly raced but does look to be something special but Robinson’s filly does appear to have a touch of class. Sonata Samaritan is drawn alongside Mocha Blend and is another that looks capable of progressing. Paul Gadsby has brought her along nicely and this trip will suit. Off Limits comes from the in-form Louise Goosen stable and has been making steady progress since her last win on the poly and was a beaten favourite last time out. Rachel Venniker has stayed with Doug Campbell’s filly Sascha’s Dream who has a favourable draw and goes well over course and distance.
The recent introduction of incentives for trainers and owners has seen a dramatic jump in field sizes and one has to question where all these horses were hiding before.
Be that as it may, in the card opener Shesarocket has found some serious market support on the Highveld without producing what was expected. She makes her debut for Stuart Ferrie and the change of environment could finally bring out the best. Roy’s Grace has a wide draw to contend with and a big weight to shoulder. But Paul Gadsby has Raymond Danielson up again and they could go one better. Predator’s Surprise has yet to find any market support but does appear to be better than her last effort while Di Rosa has shown some improvement on the poly and can feature in a weak field. The betting could be your best guide here.
The first leg of the PA is an open maiden but Trend Maker has only had two starts for Doug Campbell, both in the soft. He has shown ability in those two outings and from the best of the draw he could be the one to beat. Paul Lafferty’s runner One Armed Bandit has been knocking on the door for some time now but he has the widest draw to contend with and takes to the poly. With some luck in running he should go close again. River Dance has shown some recent improvement and goes well on the poly. He can make his presence felt.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is an open handicap. Dressedtothenines was a recent maiden winner but had been progressing with each outing. He has a fair weight to shoulder but looks capable in this field. Alyson Wright has three runners in this small field with stable rider Athandiwe Mgudlwa aboard Gorgeous Dude who has shown recent improvement since being dropped in trip. Stable companion Purple Powahouse has been struggling for his next win but goes very well over course and distance and at best can get another win on the board. Kom Naidoo has put the blinkers back on Teerex to go with the tongue-tie and his poly form is not too shabby.
El Capitan has the widest draw in the fourth but Sean Veale can draw first blood for his new employers, Hollywood Racing. Gareth van Zyl’s runner has shown up well in two starts since arriving in KZN from the Cape and the step up in trip should not be a problem. White Seahorse makes his local debut after an improved effort at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last time out. Gavin Lerena puts up 2kg over weight but that could be an indication of stable confidence. City Lights makes her way from the Highveld for Fanie Bronkhorst and she boast some useful form over the trip. She has shown up well on the poly and cannot be ignored.
Mamas Boy just needed her last run and although she carries top weight she should go close in the fifth in this line-up. Darryle Moore’s filly Quentasia is never far back and has a light weight with Rachel Venniker’s allowance a bonus. Head Girl finally shed her maiden after finishing in the money in 14 of her 19 starts. Although she looks held by a number in this field, not that she has got her head in front, Andre Nel’s mare could follow up. DRIVE BY (2) is never far back and comes from a very much in form stable. She has a favourable draw to help.
The closing two races are competitive handicaps. In the seventh, Hope Is Power was a recent winner but only got a two-point raise in the handicap. Down in class with a big weight but Lerena replaces an apprentice for Gareth van Zyl and the gelding can go on again. Game veteran Preeemptive Strike and the grey Voldemort are both in good form and should not be far apart come the finish but Fanie Bronkhorst can pay for his trip from the Highveld with Godspeed who was much improved last run and the poly could bring out the best.
The eighth is a tough closing leg to the Pick 6. El Draque is struggling for his next win but this looks tailor-made with Lerena at the reins again. Porfilio was a beaten favourite at his last two and must have a strong chance in this line-up of making amends. Breath Of Magic has shown some signs of life on the Highveld and could overcome his deep draw and Bally Magic is a poly specialist but was probably in need of his last run after returning from a lengthy break. A wide draw does not help his chances but with some luck in running he should feature.
