Good runners for Tarry

I know most trainers view this as the kiss of death but I hope Sean Tarry will forgive me for asserting his stable could be in for a good afternoon at the Vaal tomorrow.

The best of his runners could come in Race 5, a MR 92 Handicap over 1400m, where he saddles Bulleting Home. This son of Western Winter has progressed nicely since being gelded in August and has raced twice since then.

In his first run back he ran a one-length second behind Joe Soma’s talented Graduation Day and then won a MR 94 Handicap over 1600m on the Turffontein Inside track, beating Loco Por Ganar by 2.60 lengths.

Although it is not displayed in the racecard, Bulleting Home has received a 4kg penalty for that victory and will now be carrying 57.5kg. However, the manner of his last victory indicates he could still prove to be a lot better than the 87 merit rating indicates and he could be a few points ahead of the handicapper.

Bulleting Home overraced on that occasion and could well benefit from a drop in distance and a run up the Vaal straight where they go at a quicker clip from the outset. S’manga Khumalo takes the ride again. He is drawn No 7 of eight runners which is a marginal advantage on the outside track.

Captain Aldo has been remarkably consistent and was finally rewarded with a victory last time out. On paper he actually has the beating of Bulleting Home on the run behind Graduation Day. He finished two lengths back and is now 3.5kg better off so they should finish a lot closer.

However, Tarry’s charge was having his first start in over eight months and will have come on quite a lot since then.

Tarry also saddles Prince Jazeem in the race and the seven-year-old returns from a stint in the Western Cape. He is not the soundest of runners but does run well at the course. He has a record of one win, two seconds and a third place from six starts at the track and does run well for Raymond Danielson.

Buckland and Machismo represent the Tarry stable in Race 4, a Graduation Plate over 1200m, and one can expect a good showing from both runners. Buckland has the more impressive record as he has run four times for two wins and a second placing.

He beat Dingaans runner-up New Predator by 3.25 lengths so needs to be respected but closer scrutiny of Machismo’s form shows that although he has just won a maiden, he ran a 2.90-length fourth behind Brazuca who is a contender for the Grade 1 Guineas in Cape Town on Saturday.