Just how accurate the weight-for-age scale is will always be the subject of debate, but it will certainly be a topic under discussion at Flamingo Park today when Jewel Quest lines up in Race 7, a MR 64 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m.
On form she looks hard to beat. The Corne Spies-trained runner has won both her starts at this course and was particularly impressive in her maiden victory which was over 1000m.
Over 1200m she just got up to beat Rasberry Lips by a long head but did well in a Juvenile Plate over 1000m on the Vaal Classic track when finishing a 7.40-length fourth to Wrecking Ball. The winner went on to contest the Grade 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m at Greyville and finished a three-length second to Hack Green.
Jewel Quest returns to Flamingo Park but will carry top weight of 60kg. She has a merit rating of 78 but gets a weight-for-age allowance of 7kg. However, is this enough to compensate a filly who only turned three on 1 August? Despite her good form she could face an uphill battle to beat older and more experienced runners giving them weight.
She does have the benefit of No 2 draw and that will aid jockey Devin Habib.
It could be worth backing her up with Variety Spirit. The four-year-old daughter of Var has also performed well since arriving in Kimberley with a win and two seconds in her last two races. Francois Herholdt takes the ride for trainer Phillip Smith.
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