Sail South to sail home

The visiting trainers seem to be out in full force, especially in Race 5, which is a MR 101 Handicap over 1400m. The race almost starts on the bend so a good draw is often critical although the home straight is long enough for stragglers turning for home to make up ground on the horses in front of them.

Cape Town-based Brett Crawford, Dean Kannemeyer and Justin Snaith all saddle runners and it could be Crawford who comes out best of all with four-year-old Sail From Seattle gelding Sail South. He has raced 18 times for five wins and six places and two of his wins have come over this distance.

Sail South is making his second trip to KZN and was a winner in a similar race over the course and distance in June last year when he flew up late to catch Exelero and win by 0.50 lengths. Early last month Crawford gave his charge a pipe-opener at Scottsville over 1200m and he stayed on well to finish a 1.50-length second behind Azincourt.

Corne Orffer has proved to be a reliable substitute for Glen Hatt, Crawford’s previous stable jockey who was forced into retirement due to an injured hand. Orffer takes the ride on Sail South.

The second spot could be fought out by Zestful and Kannemeyer-trained filly, Real Princess. The latter was well supported to win the Listed KRA Fillies Guineas but was never in the race and ended up 10.85 lengths behind winner Alexis.