Time for Theravada to find nirvana

Theravada is named after a school of Buddhism and what the five-year-old gelding needs is some of the calmness of mind and patience taught by that ancient practise to break his run of hard luck and claim victory in Race 5 on the Greyville Polytrack on Wednesday.

Trainer Dennis Bosch’s charge has finished third, second, second and second in his most recent outings, so the odds are on him getting it right this time.

Those efforts were all on the Poly, so Theravada clearly enjoys the surface. Four different jockeys were employed and he gets yet another new partner – and this time it’s the reigning champion jockey and the man topping all KwaZulu-Natal and Greyville stats, Warren Kennedy.

From a handy No 4 stall, the odds are on nirvana arriving and punters might consider this one as a banker in a very tricky Pick 6.

The competition includes Spirit Of My Fate, who cast a shoe last time to blemish a decent run of form, and Bedazzled Joker, who is also consistent.

Another to consider as an exotic bets banker is Command Control in Race 4. The scratching of three of his principal rivals – Komodosan, Jack In The Box and Broadway – doesn’t leave trainer Shane Humby’s gelding much to beat.

Bosch’s Diamond Master and Frank Robinson’s Decorated are the only one’s with any form to recommend.

Bosch and Kennedy team up again in Race 6 race with Gentleman’s Way, who was the one to get the better of Theravada last time out – rather easily, it must be said. He has an obvious chance to win again, but does come down in trip from 1400m to 1200m – a distance he has yet to shine over – and has a widish starting stall.

Winter Waves, a progressive three-year-old trained by Alyson Wright and ridden by Muzi Yeni might be the one to be with here, while another young speedster, Majorca Palace, has a light weight and a good draw and could easily steal it.

SELECTIONS

Race 1:

10 Danse Milord, 9 Bingin Beach, 6 Bay Of Dreams, 7 Heartsease

Race 2:

5 Kayson, 2 Di Mazzio, 7 Herecomestherain, 3 Ziva La Winter

Race 3:

6 My Big Vision, 3 Inkhomazi, 12 Siwe Oasis, 7 Top Honours

Race 4:

1 Command Control, 3 Decorated, 6 Diamond Master, 2 Koura

Race 5:

4 Theravada, 5 Spirit Of My Fate, 8 Bedazzled Joker, 6 Maa Nonu

Race 6:

7 Winter Waves, 2 Majorca Palace, 8 Gentleman’s Way, 9 Hammam

Race 7:

4 Georgina Rose, 11 Vivid Jet, 3 Spring Break, 8 Dancing Feather

Race 8:

4 Silva Magic, 1 Invisible, 5 Vihaan’s Pie, 12 Diamondsandpearls

Pick 6:

3,6,7,12 x 1 x 4 x 2,6,7,8,9 x 2,3,4,6,8,11 x 1,4,5,7,12 (R600)

PA:

5 x 3,6, x 1 x 4 x 7,8,9 x 3,4,11 x 1,4,5,12 (R72)

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