Highveld racing takes a turn to the Turffontein Inside track on Thursday 6 February with a most open eight-race card.
For horseplayers, there should be some early value from Candice Dawson’s yard while the Mike/Matthew De Kock operation send out what could be the top bet on the day.
Dawson could start the day off with a bang. Nazare, her runner in Race 1, a lowly MR66 Handicap over 1000m, is a horse that has some very good form at the venue. All three of Nazare’s wins have been on the Inside track so it would be no surprise that he may have been the first to be nominated for the first Inside track meeting of the year. He is number 1 in Race 1.
Two important factors point in his direction. The last time he raced in this division he won beating re-opposing Dancing Dora. A few runs later he turned in a special effort when running on strongly to finish 0.85-lengths behind subsequent Grade 3 Graham Beck Stakes runner-up Wolf Mountain. That form is just at another level.
To boost his chances, he has dropped in ratings since and prepped nicely in a much stronger MR80 race last time.
Dawson’s next runner, Address The Nation, also drops in class from his last start. He ran in the Sophomore 1000 which should have had Graded status with the likes of Almond Sea, Karate Kid, Rodeo Drive and eventual winner Chocolate Soldier taking each other on.
In his only start at this venue he had his comeback race after a rest and gelding, but had also drawn a bit wide. The son of super freshman stallion One World looks to be in the right race this time as Dontshootthebarman must lug a massive 64kgs again and has drawn wide while Sean Tarry’s unreliable Longsword only just got there last time and has gone up in ratings.
Blaze A Way has shown some promise and has drawn well so could be the main danger, however he is returning after a break and may just need it.
Destiny Of Fire rates as one of the best bets on the day. She lines up in Race 3, an Open Fillies MR90 Handicap over 1800m. The promising filly is headed for upcoming features and the way she won her last over 1600m suggests she should relish the extra distance.
She started off her career showing talent in sprints even though bred for ground and then confirmed that she is a “classic” type with a wait-and-pounce effort in an impressive display when giving older horse Cartagena 8kg. The third-placed horse, Mocha Macaroon, who rates a big chance in Race 8, was beaten an impressive 5.10-lengths.
Trained by the now joint Mike and Matthew De Kock father and son team, she is bred in the purple being by Master Of My Fate out of a mare from the family of Jet Master. She rates the one to follow.
A horse to keep an eye on is Tarry’s Gerbera whom he has taken his time with. She looked a different horse over 1600m winning as she liked after being rushed to get there in sprints previously. One for the swingers and exactas perhaps.
Clive Robinson
