R25.00 No. 1728
MONDAY 9th - THURSDAY 12th MAY 2011
ISSN 1023 / 6996
5
FLAMINGO PARK ....................... 12:10pm (Monday) p.3 CLAIRWOOD ...................................... 11:55am (Tuesday) p.12 TURFFONTEINNIGHT .................... 17:30pm (Tuesday) p.19 KENILWORTH ................................... 12:50pm (Wednesday) p.29 VAAL ................................................................. 11:25am (Thursday) p.35
Polar Moon - won the Gr2 Senor Santa Hcp last time out.
night’s distance and he has been coming to hand nicely since being put back over sprint distances in his last three starts. The in form Gavin Lerena retains the ride and racing off a mark here some nine points lower than that of five months ago, he must have a shout.
MR100 HANDICAP over 1160m at Turffontein on Tuesday night The highest purse on offer in midweek is that put aside for the winner of a MR100 Handicap over 1160m at Turffontein on Tuesday night. Ten go to post and with question marks surrounding most of the higher rated runners, there looks to be few that can win it, writes STEVE FURNISH.
S
houldering top weight is the Tyrone Zackey trained Galanthus. Placed in both the Dingaans and London News 2000 during the past twelve months, this son of Silvano has gained all of his wins over 1600m or further, and albeit in top company, he has finished down field in each of his only two starts around today’s distance. He returns from a four month break here and although he does certainly have the class to win a race like this, connections will more than likely be pleased just to see him running on.
Iliad Fourth in last season’s Natal Guineas, Robbie Sage’s charge would also prefer much further. He did win over 1200m
when shedding his maiden tag in just his second career start, but other than racing over 1450m when returning from a three break last time out, he has been campaigned over a minimum of 1600m. He’s been off the track for nine months since that latest effort and is best just watched.
Dom’s Trio The only coupling in the race is that of trainer Dominic Zaki who saddles all of Strike Paradise, Echohawk and Master Blaster. The eldest runner in the field, Strike Paradise finished fifth in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint last season and he is at his very best around tonight’s distance. He’s without a win in 23 starts now though and having failed to get within thir-
Polar Moon
teen lengths of a winner in his two outings since returning from a five month break, he is not easy to fancy. Prior to a recent fifteen month break, the Captain Al gelding Echohawk was progressing very nicely. Indeed, he had won three from seven and in his latest outing before the layoff, he was only beaten three quarters of a length by Pierre Jourdan in the Gr3 Tony Ruffel Stakes. He is yet to race over a distance this short though and having been unable to get within fourteen lengths of a winner (albeit in very good company) since his return, he too is unlikely to have many followers. The stable elect then must surely be Master Blaster. This son of Al Mufti has gained three of his four wins around to-
Formerly with trainer Grant Maroun, Polar Moon looked a top sort in the making when completing a four timer in just his sixth career start. In comparison, he was a little disappointing in his next two outings, but since returning from a six month layoff in January, he has again come to hand very nicely. He won well when beating the Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap runner up Mr Black Tom over today’s course and distance in the Gr2 Senor Santa Handicap last time out, and on that alone, he has to rate the one to beat here.
Challenger Quay Diane Stenger’s charge has also come to hand nicely in recent months and in our book he ran his best rating to date when third to the enigmatic Exclaim’n’exclude in a conditions event in his penultimate
start. Challenger Quay is 2,5kg better off with Polar Moon for a 3,25 lengths beating in the Senor Santa last time out and on that must hold some kind of a chance. He was beaten fair and square after holding every chance in that event though and won’t find it easy to turn the tables.
Officer Class The busiest runner in the field in terms of outings, Officer Class is a very honest campaigner and has fully deserved his seven wins. He’s only missed the frame once in eight starts over this course and distance and if ready on his return from a three month break, should be thereabouts again.
Secret Life Third in both the SA Nursery and prestigious Gr1 Gold Medallion as a juvenile back in 2008, Paul Matchett’s charge is clearly very useful. His form since those early days has been a little erratic, but prior to running down field when out at the weights in a pinnacle event last time out, he had won four in a row. He won going away in his previous start over today’s course and distance in handicap company and at home in
8 winners in the last 9 days - Including Another Stakes Winner
DYNASTY grandson of the legendary SADLER ’S WELLS SADLER’S
ek Winners this past we
y O’Reilly Amber Palace • Padd Throne Ice Diamond • Sage Fourth Estate 3 winners last week
mo • Blake Extra Cover • San Re
both good and soft underfoot conditions, should be right there.
Secret Story Without a win in seven starts on turf, in under sufferance, and having only had the one outing (at Flamingo Park) in the last 17 months, one might think that Secret Story is in the wrong race. Interestingly though, this lightly raced son of West Man was only beaten a length and a half by the likely favourite Polar Moon at levels in his penultimate start and he is now 7kg better off at the weights with that one.
About The Pace With those most likely to fight out the finish all at their best racing up with the speed, a fair pace can be expected. Polar Moon showed real potential earlier in his career and when winning the Gr2 Senor Santa Handicap last time out, he did look to be right back to his very best. He gets the vote.
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