Be smart, take the call

We have been crying out for rain on the Highveld and that usually arrives once night racing is introduced at Turffontein. According at the weather forecasters, though, there is no rain around so tonight promises to be a beautiful moon struck evening in the south of Joburg with some excellent racing to boot.

Alec Laird is all smiles coming off a win with Bouclette Top in the R1-million Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile at the course last Saturday and the stable is on top form. He brings out Smart Call who had two superb runs in Grade 1 races during the winter season in KwaZulu-Natal.

The daughter of Ideal World pulled off a bit of a surprise to win the Woolavington 2000 at Greyville as most pundits believes 2000m would be too far. But she settled well under Weichong Marwing and kicked on beautifully run down Pine Princess, getting up to win by a neck.

Her next start was in the Grade 1 Garden province Stakes over 1600m on Durban July day. She was caught out wide and once again ran on gamely but could not get to Same Jurisdiction, who was backed as if the result was a foregone conclusion. That was a superb run against a filly who is one of the best “milers” in the land.

Smart Call will contest Race 6, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein tomorrow and if anywhere close to her best, will be hard to beat. She is well weighted under the race conditions and Marwing is back on board.

The main threat looks to be Sean Tarry-trained Bichette. She has had two runs over the course and distance for a win and a fifth place. However, it is that fifth place which is particularly significant as that is one of the strongest form lines around.

The race was won by Mitraad, with Prince Of Orange in second, Fah Fee third, Mutamakkin fourth and Bichette fifth. All but Fah Fee came out to win their next starts so the form was potent. If Bichette is close to peak fitness the daughter of Western Winter will give Smart Call a real challenge.

S’manga Khumalo takes the ride.