FILE PICTURE: South African champion jockey Piere Strydom.Picture: Supplied.
Firstly I will be riding at today’s Scottsville meeting, secondly three of tomorrow’s races have been devoted to apprentices and finally, the horse I am hoping to ride in the Vodacom Durban July, Cagiva, is not quite ready.
As a result, I thought I could have a short working holiday and come back fresh.
As I’m not that clued up with the KwaZulu-Natal form I’m not in a position to help with selections but we can look at the four features. In the Allan Robertson Championship I’m riding Flying Loot. She is still a maiden and she’s drawn on the wrong side of the track so I don’t see her having much of a winning chance. She could be worth keeping an eye on as she could get better in her next few starts.
As juveniles can improve quite a few lengths with each start it is hard to make a selection. Include Balkan as her form looks quite strong. Flame Cat, who has quite a bit of experience which could count in a race like this, and Rich Girl.
If you want to add any more consider Mike de Kock’s Alboran Sea and One Fine Day. They are both drawn on the inside which seems to be an advantage as I believe there is a huge bias towards the lower draws at the course.
The Tsogo Sun Medallion is the second feature and I’m leaning towards Harry Lime and Carry On Alice. Harry Lime has a bad draw and for that reason I prefer Carry On Alice who has already won a feature race. Other to consider, are Guiness, who has won well and can only improve, Punk Rocker, and Precursor, who is my ride, as he has the reputation of being a decent horse. If you want to add any more look for runners with low draws.
Via Africa looks an absolute certainty in the SA Fillies Sprint. They all carry level weights and as she has beaten this opposition on many an occasion and has the benefit of No 1 draw, the rest are all racing for second place.
I’m riding Tiger Quest. The form is not strong enough and she is best over 1000m.
In the Golden Horse Sprint I ride Whiteline Fever. It is slightly on the short side but I know Sean Tarry has altered his work to keep him fresh and make him a lot speedier for this race. On form I definitely think he could place and obviously I’m hoping for the best as this race has been lucky to me.
Barbosa has strong form and the benefit a good draw, and he’s raced many times at Scottsville. I’ve also found Snowdon, who has the beating of my horse and is 0.5kg better off, and Contador, who I won on last year. All three have low draws. If you want to go wider for the Pick 6 you could consider Whiteline Fever, Red Ray, who has a bad draw, Tevez, also a bad draw, Chekilli and Normanz.
****
Racing takes place on the inside track at Turffontein tomorrow and in Race 1 it is important to keep an eye on the betting. There are many unraced horses and many of them are favoured by the bookmakers.
The horses I like in Race 2 are Front Rank and Intandokazi. Unfortunately Front Rank has a bad draw and at this track that plays a big part. Intandokazi has the experience and pulled hard last time but has a good draw this time.
In Race 3 I’m leaning towards Gold Cup Girl. You could make her a banker in the opening leg of the Place Accumulator or if you don’t feel safe add in Pennington Sands as your back up. The rest of the form looks moderate. Payasa is unraced and could be anything. She is another who could back you up ion the PA and you get her for free in the Pick 6.
My initial thought in Race 4 was that Var Bay would be hard to beat but he’s coming off a rest so it could worth backing him up with Lesley Strong who has some decent form and a good draw. For the Pick 6 add in Victorinox and Flawless Gem if you want to go wider.
There could be another banker in Race 5. Moonriver Magic won last time, got a penalty but most of that has been negated by the 2.5kg apprentice claim. You could also consider her a Pick 6 banker but if not, include Fall Of Troy and Da Moonsta.
Race 6 is a Pinnacle Stakes which normally favours your highest rated horse and for that reason I like Pomodoro. Unfortunately 1600m could be little short and the inside track might not suit him. You could consider him a Place Accumulator banker but I suggest adding Whistle Stop, who is a class horse, and Master Sabina, who could be good back up as the other two have issues.
In Race 7 I would consider banking Moggytwoshoes. Last time she had a bad draw, came from a long way back and mowed them down. She’s back on the inside track and has the benefit of No1 draw. For the Pick 6 I would add in Festival Of Fire who also likes the track but is drawn wide, and Love Vivien, who at the weights should beat Moggytwoshoes.
In Race 8 Sundays Sister looks a hard horse to beat. Unfortunately she was travelling a bit hard last time and has the worst of the draw. If that does concern you then the only other horse to include is Elusive De Lage.
Race 9 is difficult but I’m going to lean towards Top Command. He’s last run was not bad, he drops in merit rating and he gets a 4kg allowance. Other to consider would be Master Rivas and maybe Furaat Quality.
Those are our PA horses. For the Pick 6 you could consider including London Irish. If this race still troubles you then you might need to go with the field.
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.