BACK TO FORM. Kiss Me Hardy has found his lost form and should continue his unbeaten run at Flamingo Park in Race 2 this afternoon.
After some below-average performances during the winter months, Kiss Me Hardy’s merit rating has been reduced from 113 to 106 but he is still the best handicapped runner by at least 4kg.
His last run was over 1450m on the Vaal sand on Supreme Cup Day but he found himself too far back when everything was winning from the front and did well to kick and run a 1.90-length fourth behind Mighty Manzi. What was particularly noteworthy was the fact that he carried a mighty 68kg!
With that sort of weight it did not give jockey Andrew Fortune too many options but this time he has just 61kg on his back which will feel like a feather to the son of Captain Al. This will also be his third run after a layoff so Kiss Me Hardy should be in the pink of condition. He is also unbeaten in two starts over the course and distance.
Spies also saddles Atso Time who finished second behind Mighty Manzi and was 1.85 lengths in front of Kiss Me Hardy. However, with his stable companion now 5kg better off it could be worth looking elsewhere for a runner to chase home Kiss Me Hardy.
That role could be played by First Answer who has an excellent record over the course and distance – four wins and three places from nine starts – and is from the in-form Coerie Lensley stable.
He is perfectly drawn in gate No 4 and has Muzi Yeni in the irons.
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