There are two powerful speed contests on offer at Turffontein on Sunday – the Listed Bauhinia Handicap and the Grade 3 National Currency Sprint – for horseplayers to savour on a bumper 10-race programme run on the Standside track.
In both races, trainer Tony Peter looks to have the horses to beat.
The Bauhinia Handicap is a seven-horse affair, but it is, nevertheless, a competitive race with just about all runners in with a chance. However, Peter’s One Fell Swoop, who did everything but win on Gauteng Guineas Day, looks to have had the best prep and should be hard to beat back against her own sex.
Jockey Gavin Lerena sticks with her.
One Fell Swoop, who gave away weight to many a decent colt and gelding, was quickest for most of the way, but she hung inwards and lost momentum over the final stages of the 1160m. She was beaten only 0.60 lengths by back-to-best Mercantour, who earlier looked top-class material. The drop in distance to 1000m which she takes in Race 6 could see her have a less arduous task.
Interestingly, Lerena has ridden both dangers before, namely Simply Majestic and Troppo Veloce. Both have class but need a form return. One Fell Swoop was hard to catch when in top form last season and it looks like she could be back to best and ready to get her confidence boosted.
One of the best juveniles of his generation, Pistol Pete, has arguably the stiffer test, even if he is the joint best weighted horse in the National Currency Sprint over 1100m.
The Buffalo Bill Cody colt started his career winning easily over 1000m and many assumed he would not train on. But contrary to that belief he has improved since, realising a merit rating of 115 after capturing the Grade 3 Betway Lebelo Sprint at this venue last time out.
The Lebelo was run over 1000m but these days it appears as if Pistol Pete is better suited to a bit further and should travel a lot better this time. The other joint best weighted runner is Chocolate Soldier, another talented three-year-old running off the same merit rating and weight.
Chocolate Soldier is also in top form and impressed when winning the Sophomore 1000 in his penultimate start beating Pistol Pete’s star stablemate, filly Almond Sea, by three lengths as well as re-opposing Karate Kid and Rondebosch. He is by versatile stallion One World but has only won over 1000m and as a result Pistol Pete, who has run some phenomenal races over 1100m and 1160m, could have the edge.
Peter also has the horse to beat in Race 1 where he sends out juvenile filly Arashi. She has promising form, and her experience could pay off in race made up of mostly newcomers. However, some are well-bred debutantes and as always it could pay to keep a close eye on the betting action.
Clive Robinson
