Lebeoana to hold off Evercell

Lebeoana has found winning form again and might be the right one in the R100,000 Northern Cape Stayers Handicap (Non-Black Type) over 2200m at Flamingo Park today.

Trainer Tienie Prinsloo gave the five-year-old a 1400m sprint-up in February when, inevitably, Lebeoana found the distance on the sharp side and finished 10th behind Taso The Sailor.

That run sharpened him up enormously so when he was sent back over a middle distance in the Flamingo Park Handicap last time out, Lebeoana won well, beating Jaguar by 2.25 lengths with Evercell (2.5kg better off) five lengths behind him in fourth, Quid Rides fifth, Deckie Boy seventh and Pontedera eighth.

That run was over 1800m and Lebeoana might find Evercell a difficult customer over this 400m longer trip.

Phillip Smith-trained Evercell won over this course and distance in his penultimate start, beating Steady As A Rock by 2.75 lengths with Lebeoana (4kg better off) a well-beaten third as favourite.

In fact, two of Evercell’s five wins have come over this course and distance and he is a formidable rival.

Cristal Arrow, a five-year-old mare from the Corrie Lensley yard, took a while to find her feet on the Kimberley sand but showed signs that she was starting to get used to the surface last time, when second to 1.25-length winner Beautiful Dawn. This is a peak run after a rest and she should feature prominently.

Quid Rides and topweight Pontedera could be best of the rest.