R25.00
5
No. 1718
MONDAY 4th - THURSDAY 7th APRIL 2011
ISSN 1023 / 6996
FLAMINGO PARK
12:20pm (Monday) p.5
SCOTTSVILLE
12:35pm (Tuesday) p.14
Rudra – 2008 Summer Cup winner
TURFFONTEINNIGHT 5:30pm (Tuesday) p.21
DURBANVILLE 1:00pm (Wednesday) p.32
VAALTURF 11:50am (Thursday) p.38
CONDITIONS STAKES over 1200m at Turffontein (standside) this Tuesday night The horses with the highest merit ratings in midweek contest the Conditions Stakes over 1600m at Turffontein on Tuesday night. Four runners stand out at the weights, but with the vast majority of the twelve either returning from a break, or not at their best right now, question marks are aplenty, writes STEVE FURNISH.
S
haring top weight of 60kg are all of Rudra, Regal Ransom and Echohawk.
would be receiving an extra 8,5kg from Rudra. Boylan Blaze also returns from a nine month break here.
Rudra
Regal Ransom
A winner of the prestigious Gr1 Summer Cup back in 2008, the 6yo Rudra has gained two of his five career victories over today’s distance. He’s been in good form in his most recent starts and although he didn’t manage to make the frame in this season’s Summer Cup and Gr1 J&B Met, he did, in our book, run up to his rating in both of those events. Rudra does return from a short break here, but he is best in at the weights and the booking of Anton Marcus would suggest that all is well. Stable companion Boylan Blaze on the other hand is worst in at the weights. Indeed, had this event been a handicap, he
The two next best in at the weights are both trained by Sean Tarry. Regal Ransom showed a tremendous amount of improvement at this stage of the season last year and when winning the Gr1 Champions Challenge on just 2,5kg more favourable terms in May, he beat Rudra by a neck. Very sparingly raced since registering that prestigious success, Regal Ransom did again run on very well when getting up in the very last stride to win a pinnacle event over today’s course and distance on his return from a five month layoff in December. This son of Caesour is undoubtedly at his best in soft going as the
last season and in his last start in that campaign he was only beaten three quarters of a length by Pierre Jourdan. He won the first two legs of the Triple crown in his next two outings. Echohawk was off the track for 13 months after that effort though, and it was no surprise to see him fold tamely after making the running in a conditions event over 1450m at the inner track just three weeks ago. He’s sure to strip fitter here and the booking of globetrotter Felix Coetzee does catch the eye. Stable companion Amatol has also returned from a lengthy absence in recent months and he has been finding his form. He does rise considerably in class here though and out at the weights to boot, a place is perhaps his best hope.
aforementioned victories will attest, and with plenty of rain forecast in the days leading up to the race, the track condition looks sure to be in his favour. His two latest outings have both been very poor in comparison though, and with no excuses tendered, one is not quite sure what to expect here. The betting should tell a story. Stable companion Bedloe’s Island is also very well treated at the weights here, but she too has question marks against her Don’t Tell Titch name. She would ideally prefer Now with Vaughan further and having only her second start following a nine Marshall, the much traveled month layoff, she is perhaps Don’t Tell Titch has gained four of his six career victories over best just watched for now. today’s distance. He’s without Echohawk a win in ten starts now though Best in of Dominic Zaki’s and having finished downfield two runners is Echohawk. This in his only outing since being son of Captain Al progressed reported as not striding out in quickly after shedding his November, he is another who is maiden tag at the first attempt perhaps best just watched.
Therealslimshady
Mahogany
George Scott’s charge was once rated eleven points higher than he is today and were he to find his best form, this 7yo son of Captain Al would certainly be a runner at today’s weights. Since winning a similar event 2 years ago though, he has been unable to fill a place in the Quartet in thirteen starts.
More often than not seen out on the sand where he is rated six points higher than on today’s surface, Mahogany has won over today’s distance on turf. He’s been unable to make the frame in each of his last three starts on today’s surface though and out at the weights, on this his return from a five month break, he Sporting Boy does look to have a mamAlec Laird’s charge showed real moth task. promise earlier in his career. InFly Olimpic deed, had he not been baulked for a run 250m out, he might Geoff Woodruff’s charge well have won the Gr2 Dingaans was progressing nicely prior in 2008. His last victory was to being given a short break in prior to that event though, and November. He’s failed to get as with Therealslimshady, very in a blow in three starts since many moons have past since he his return in January though, made the frame. and on that, he cannot be fancied. Caribbean Coast A winner of six of his 45 starts, the Doowaley gelding Caribbean Coast has been a tremendous servant to connections. He’s a fair handicapper in his own right and another victory or two will no doubt be forthcoming. He has been comfortably beaten in each of his last four starts in that league though and now up in class and out at the weights to boot, victory here does seem unlikely.
When YYou ou Have That Vision TToo Mak Makee
The Big Catch
ItIt’s ’s Good TToo Know Who Stocks The Dam
About The Pace With two frontrunners in the field, as well as three very interesting couplings, at least a fair pace should be forthcoming. Effective on both good and soft ground, and best in at the weights, Rudra is one of the few who has run up to his rating in recent starts. He should take some beating here.
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