Woodruff to turn on the switch

It is always worth following in-form stables even though the form might be a little “iffy”. Geoff Woodruff has had a great summer on the Highveld and it could continue with Master Switch in Race 7 at Turffontein today, a MR 84 Handicap over 2000m on the Inside track.

The four-year-old son of Jet Master has run some decent races, especially his fourth place behind Legal Eagle in the Listed Derby Trial over 2000m on the Standside track. On that occasion Master Switch finished three lengths behind Sean Tarry’s charge, giving him 3kg.

He went off the boil a bit and in August was gelded. Master Switch has had two runs since and his last was a promising two-length fifth behind Diesel Jet over 1600m on the Standside track.

This is his third run back and Master Switch should be perfectly primed to win a race of this nature. It is also worth noting both of his wins have been at this track. Chase Maujean rides.

Lava Flow won his penultimate start over 1800m at this course and followed that up with a long-head second behind Oriental Blue on the Standside course. The Mike de Kock-trained gelding received a 1kg penalty for that run while The Big Easy, who made the running and finished 2.70 lengths behind Lava Flow, had his merit rating dropped three points.

That puts Lava Flow and The Big Easy very close together on form but the fact De Kock’s charge has won at this course might still see him have the edge. Randall Simons takes the ride on Lava Flow while apprentice Craig Zackey is aboard the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained The Big Easy.