Prince Of Fire is burning up the turf

Prince Of Fire is one of the three-year-old horses who have risen clearly above their contemporaries and have stardom beckoning. The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained gelding races on the Turffontein Inside track on Monday, seeking his fourth win in four starts, and is the outstanding bet on the card.

The son of Gimmethegreenlight goes in Race 7, a MR89 Handicap over 1000m, has a good draw and has the very capable Raymond Danielson in the irons for the first time.

Five-year-old mare Seemyvision, trained by Roy Magner, appears the only threat to Prince Of Fire. But, despite being in the form of her life with three wins in her last five outings, the evidence suggests she isn’t in his class.

Prince Of Fire’s first two successes were over 1000m at Turffontein, the second over this tight circuit, and both were a piece of cake. He was then tried over 1200m and the winning margin was greater – as was the impression of complete superiority.

One might have expected Van Vuuren to go for 1400m or a mile next – possibly with the coming Classic races in mind. After all, the sire won the Queen’s Plate over 1600m. But the Turffontein-based handler has reverted to 1000m for the time being.

To punters, this simply makes Prince Of Fire more of a nap as there is no guesswork involved over stamina capability.

SELECTIONS

1: 8 Courante, 11 Risky Business, 1 Burmese Tiara, 2 Oceans Pride

2: 1 Chariot Master, 9 Sky Runner, 8 Sequoia, 10 Wondering Star

3: 1 Magical Flight, 2 Spice Market, 9 Sacred Lotus, 8 Me Time

4: 7 Miracle And Wonder, 5 Dark Travel, 11 Rose Willow, 3 Louvain

5: 4 Snow Palace, 3 Southern Song, 6 Opera Glass, 1 Veld Flower

6: 3 Halloween, 6 DuchessBernedette, 4 Belle Swan, 1 Princess Kesh

7: 2 Prince Of Fire, 5 Seemyvision, 6 Spanish Boy, 7 Irfaans Booy

8: 3 Looking Hot, 5 Princess Sabrina, 1 Bethal, 7 Veneta

Pick 6: 1,2,3,8,9 x 5,7,11 x 1,3,4,5,6,8,9 x 1,3,4,6 x 2 x 1,3,5,7,10 (R2100)

PA: 1,8,9 x 1,2 x 7 x 3,4,6 x 3 x 2 x 3,5 (R36)