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SPORTING POST • MONDAY 28th FEBRUARY -THURSDAY 3rd MARCH 2011
R25.00 No. 1708
MONDAY 28th FEBRUARY - THURSDAY 3rd MARCH 2011
ISSN 1023 / 6996
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Storm Crossing - unbeaten over 1200m at the Vaal’s sand track.
FLAMINGO PARK
12:20pm (Monday) p.5
SCOTTSVILLE
12:15pm (Tuesday) p.14
TURFFONTEIN NIGHT
5:25pm (Tuesday) p.22
DURBANVILLE
1:00pm (Wednesday) p.34
VAAL SAND
12:50pm (Thursday) p.40
Autumn Sand Sprint over 1200m at Vaal on Thursday Heading up another very busy program in midweek is the non black type Autumn Sand Sprint over 1200m at the Vaal on Thursday. Storm Crossing rates clear in the merit ratings, but this is a handicap and he does have to concede plenty of weight all around, writes STEVE FURNISH.
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winner of five of his ten starts on the surface, this son of Western Winter is more often than not seen out over further. It is interesting to note though that he has won three of his four career starts over 1200m and he is unbeaten over today’s trip. He goes well for apprentice Appie, and setting off from a nice draw here looks sure to be right there again. Gangsta Fury As with his trainer Barend Botes, this son of Mogok is at the top of his game right now. He had three of today’s rivals behind him when only beaten three quarters of a length by Kentucky Express in the non
black type Lightning Stakes in his penultimate start and did then follow that up with a good win over today’s distance. Paul’s Bid Representing trainer Paul Matchett are both Cruso and Gold Game. Cruso won the listed Hampton Handicap over 1000m here on his first try on sand back in September, and on that run alone, he has to be considered. He was given a spell on turf after that success though, and as with his latest two outings on today’s surface, he has been performing well below best. Gold Game also took to the sand well after relocating from Natal, and he did have three of today’s runners behind him
when winning well in his latest start on today’s surface. That win, as with his other victories on the sand though, were all gained over 1000m and he does appear to be at his very best over that trip. Roy’s Duo Phunyuka has gained five of his six career wins over today’s course and distance and interestingly, he did win this race last season. Since placing in the Sand Challenge in April though, his form has steadily been deteriorating and is now without a win in eleven starts. He’s been unable to finish better than ninth in his last two starts over 1200m here and on that, is not easy to fancy. Much more likely then on current form is his 6yo stable companion Fuzzy Cuzzy. He too is battling to find the winner’s enclosure of late and although he is in fair form at the moment, he’s without a victory in fourteen starts. Leon’s Coupling Second World has been ultra consistent of late and setting off from a good draw here, looks sure to be thereabouts again. He has been beaten by others in this race in each of his
last two starts on sand though, and having only gained one of his four wins to date on today’s surface and yet to register a success beyond 1000m, others do seem more likely. Stable companion Bownore has gained both of his wins over today’s trip and having won here in his penultimate start, he is clearly at the top of his game. Bownore doesn’t have the best of the draw here, but he did finish close up to Gangsta Fury in his latest outing and a repeat of that effort would give him some kind of a chance. Don’t Tell Titch Usually seen out over further, Geoff Woodruff’s charge has gained his six career wins (all on turf) over a minimum of 1400m. He has placed in both starts on sand though, and he did run a fair third to his stable companion Paramo when last on the surface. Don’t Tell Titch returns from a three month break here, but the booking of Anton Marcus would suggest that all is well. Chrysalis The only 3yo in the event is the visitor from Cape Town Chrysalis. A winner of three of
his thirteen starts to date, Vaughan Marshall’s charge has been keeping good company since shedding his maiden tag in June. His three wins have all been gained over 1400m and he doesn’t have the best of the draw here. He has run close to some fair sorts over today’s distance though and if taking to the sand, he could still improve plenty. Opening Night Clinton Binda’s charge has some strong earlier form to his name on turf. He’s performed well below that level on sand at the Vaal, but interestingly, he is unbeaten in three starts on the surface at Flamingo Park. Opening Night is in good form at the moment, but he does set off from the widest draw here. Fearless Gun Since finishing runner up in the prestigious Gr2 Emerald Cup back in 2009, Fearless Gun has managed to fill a place in the Quartet once in sixteen starts, and yet to score over a trip shorter than 1450m, he does look unlikely here. About The Pace They usually set off at a fair clip over 1200m at this circuit
When YYou ou Have That Vision TToo Mak Makee
The Big Catch
ItIt’s ’s Good TToo Know Who Stocks The Dam
and with plenty of speed in this race a fair pace can be expected. Storm Crossing has won both of his career starts over today’s trip and he is at the top of his game right now. He doesn’t have the easiest of tasks under 61,5kg, but sprinters do tend to carry weight well. He gets the vote.
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