Krystle likely to shine

Jockey Weichong Marwing demonstrated last Saturday that when one gives him a ride with a winning chance, he will get the best out of his mounts. On Saturday he had 10 rides for two wins, five seconds, two thirds and a fifth place and that form can continue at Turffontein today when he rides Krystle Carrington for the Ormond Ferraris stable in Race 3, a MR 80 Handicap over 1800m for fillies and mares on the Inside track.

The five-year-old daughter of Dynasty loves this course and has a record of three wins and five places in 10 starts. Her record over the course and distance reads two runs, one win and one second place.

She has finished second in her last two starts and as this is her third run after a rest, one expects her to be that little better on this occasion.

Sisters Of Mercy had her first start for the Tyrone Zackey yard last time over 1700m at the Vaal and the talk going around indicated she was fancied to win. She did find some betting support and eventually went off at 9-2 after having been traded at around 6-1 but ended up a little too far back and finished fifth, beaten just 2.45 lengths by Angelic Appeal.

However, three of her five wins have come at Turffontein on the Inside track and she is expected to run a lot closer on this occasion. Zackey has engaged apprentice Callan Murray and they will jump from barrier No 2.

Mike de Kock saddles Nikki who has done little wrong in her four visits to a racecourse. She started her career in KwaZulu-Natal where she raced three times, placing in her first two starts before winning her maiden over 1200m at Scottsville where she beat Cause Celebre by 3.25 lengths.

Her first race on the Highveld was most encouraging. Running over 1450m on the Inside track, she fought out a duel with Heaps Of Fun but despite showing tons of courage, went down a short head.

She tries 1800m for the first time but is by Fort Wood and one would expect her to see out the distance. Nikki is 1kg under sufferance but a light weight of 52kg and Marco van Rensburg in the irons makes her most competitive in this line-up.

Expect an improved run from Lexicon. The Sean Tarry-trained runner had her first run in nine months last time when a 5.30-length fifth behind Ruby Ruby in a Graduation Plate over 1600m at the Vaal. She was not well weighted so her run was not bad.

She carried 58.5kg in her last race and now, with apprentice Mathew Thackeray claiming 1.5kg, will carry just 51kg.