To the tote we go with Topostwego

Although proving a bit of a disappointment to his supporters on Saturday in the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes Afrikaburn is still a decent horse and when a formline whereby Topostwego only finished 3.30 lengths behind is clearly to be taken note of at Flamingo Park today.


Topostwego will be expected by his trainer to easily take care of some modest opposition by winning Race 7, the Kimberley Nursery(Non-Black-Type) over 1400m.

Trainer Corne Spies seems to plunder the juvenile races at this venue virtually at will; has stable jockey Fanie Chambers aboard, will jump from pole position draw and will prove very hard to beat.

This Muhtafal gelding has only the one win to date and that was over this distance when beating subsequent dual winner Rock Me Var by a length on the Turffontein Inside track in March.

Although having run a couple of good races over the 1400m with that seventh to Afrikaburn as stated and a runner-up to the decent Captain Clipper this trip suits him better.

One can safely put a line through his last run as the two-year-old clearly found MR 95 too much to chew on from a deep draw.

Trainer Spies does not like to rely on one horse in a race so has cover in All The Bids, Snow Call and Atso’s Scheme.

All The Bids is most likely to pick up the pieces should Topostwego fail as his recent fourth to Ajuba in open company on the Vaal Sand is form that is not to be disregarded. Jockey Francois Naude retains the ride on him.

The filly Snow Call has run well on this track so has that advantage but may lack the class to beat the colts, nevertheless she could earn stake money.

Atso’s Scheme is still a maiden after four starts and has a wide draw to overcome but could also pop up into a minor place.

The home team challenge will be led by Iron Dragon and the Dorrie Sham pair Modus Tollendi and Commanderincharge.

Iron Dragon is improving but has two lengths to find with Modus Tollendi from when they met on 2 June.

Modus Tollendi has a horror draw of Stall No 13 so may be giving too much start away to be effective in this.

Stable companion Commanderincharge tries the sand surface for the first time since relocating from the Western Cape where he showed nothing in five starts

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