Place your bet and Exit Here

The Polytrack at Greyville has changed the fortunes of many horses in KwaZulu-Natal, very much like the sand track at the Vaal did for Highveld runners.


Trainer Charles Laird has trained a number of good horses in his time and appears to have a decent sort in Exit Here who has really blossomed on the Polytrack. He made his debut on the surface in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m and was allowed to drift from an opening call of 7-2 to 10-1 by the start of the race. He clearly needed the experience as he hung throughout and still managed to finish second, beaten 0.75 lengths by King’s Knight.

The winner franked the form by going on to win the Grade 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m on the Greyville turf track.

Despite the fact he was still a maiden Laird obviously believed in this son of Jay Peg because his second start was in the Listed Gatecrasher where he took on winners. Exit Here did not let the side down, despite being raced on the turf for the first time. He finished second, beaten 3.25 lengths by Rabada, who has turned out to be one of the best Juveniles in the country. He won the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m on the same course some six weeks later.

Exit Here returned to the Polytrack and has won both his races in facile style. In his last start he easily defeated Royal Union Jet by 2.75 lengths over 1600m and only received a three-point penalty for that victory.

He runs in Race 5 at Greyville today, again on the Polytrack, in a MR 86 Handicap over 1600m and looks all set to win his third successive race. Anton Marcus is back in the irons and they jump from barrier No 2.

 

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