Perfidia gets the nod

When Chesney van Zyl gets father Gavin’s horses on the Highveld in top form, theirs is a stable to follow. Keagan de Melo has done a great job riding winners for the yard and they all team up with Perfidia at Turffontein today in Race 7, a MR 74 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m on the Inside track.

The daughter of Kahal has only raced twice, finishing third behind No More Words on debut over 1200m after a slow start on this course, and then running out a very easy winner over 1400m on the Standside track in July.

Two winners have come from that formline – third-placed Cashel Palace and Miracle At Dawn, who was beaten 10 lengths by Perfidia.

She looks well above average and although taking on a quite a strong field comes in with just 54.5kg on her back and No 3 draw, which is ideal on this track. The manner in which she won over 1400m gives one the suspicion she will be even better over 1600m. As her first start was on the Inside track she will not be troubled by the course.

She could very well be a Pick 6 banker but as we don’t know too much about her as yet some may look elsewhere for back up. That could lie with Gary Alexander-trained Perfect Order who was off the track for almost a year. However, the daughter of Greys Inn showed a return to form last time when finishing a 3.30-length second behind Polar Secret over 1700m at the Vaal.

This will be the third run after that long layoff and Perfect Order should be in perfect order for a good run. Mark Khan has the ride.

Galactic Warrior was backed to beat Sir David Baird on debut but found Mike de Kock’s runner far too good. We all know how disappointed De Kock was when his runner, who he rates most highly, was beaten second time out as the result of a lacklustre ride, so Galactic Warrior, with the experience of a run behind him, should be very hard to beat in Race 2 over 1450m.

Luck Houdalakis’ charge was not disgraced when finishing a 2.30-length third behind Sir David Baird and should have no problems atoning for that defeat on this occasion. A good bet in Race 2 will help build up a kitty for the day.