No. 1758
MONDAY 22nd - THURSDAY 25th AUGUST 2011
4
ISSN 1023 / 6996
Unbeaten Unannounced can improve plenty back over 1200m.
FAIRVIEW
12:05pm (Monday) p.4
VAAL SAND 12:25pm (Tuesday) p.14
DURBANVILLE
13:05pm (Wednesday) p.26
CLAIRWOOD 12:10pm (Thursday) p.33
Making An Entrance
MR96 HANDICAP over 1200m at Clairwood on Thursday Heading up the four card program in midweek is a MR96 Handicap at the garden course on Thursday. Twelve runners go to post and with the unbeaten Unannounced racing in this kind of company for the first time, it looks to be a very interesting affair, writes STEVE FURNISH.
Michael Roberts’ charge is as consistent as they come and two of his four wins have been gained over today’s distance. He was seeking a hat trick when only beaten 2,1 lengths in the Gr2 Post Merchants over 1200m at Greyville last time out and on that effort alone, he has to be a very serious runner here.
nannounced was sent off deep in the red at 11/ 20 when making his debut in May and ran out a very comfortable winner over today’s course and distance without ever having to engage the upper gears. He did then have to work when dead heating with the useful Second Tycoon over 200m shorter in his only subsequent start, but that one does appear to be at his best over 1000m, and the rest were left trailing in their wake. This 3yo son of Snitzel could still improve considerably and now back over a more suitable distance, and racing off a nice galloping weight of 53,5kg, looks sure to fight it out.
Twice a winner over today’s course and distance, Sean Tarry’s charge was a runner up to Noble Heir in the Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap earlier in his career and a year ago was rated 99. He’s clearly been below best since returning from a nine month layoff in May and has been unable to get his head in front in seven starts.
U
Cool Spender
Draconian
Hot Rocket
As well as Unannounced, trainer Charles Laird is also represented by the 4yo Falbrav colt Draconian. Probably at his best over 1200m, Draconian has gained two of his three wins over today’s trip. He’s come to hand nicely since returning from a five month break in April and he was clear until very late on when just getting the verdict over Magnanimous by the narrowest of margins over 1600m in a graduation event last time out. Anthony Delpech takes the ride. Expect a bold effort.
Des Egdes’ charge has been steadily progressing during the course of 2011 and he did achieve his highest rating to date in our book when a runner up to the subsequent winner Buragh last time out. Surprisingly, Hot Rocket is yet to finish better than third in three starts at this circuit, but he would be thereabouts
Mike’s Choice Shouldering top weight of 60.5kg is the 5yo Mike’s Choice.
DYNASTY
if reproducing his Scottsville tremendous improvement during form. the course of 2010. Indeed, he won six of his nine outings and in Ridethebreeze the process rose some 28 points One of three Australian bred in the handicap. He’s proven to runners in the field, the Anabaa be at his best over today’s trip, but colt Ridethebreeze was more his efforts off his current mark often than not seen out over would suggest that the further during the recent Natal handicapper does now have his season. He has won over measure. 1200m though, and he did Bold Alliance have Draconian behind him when a close up third over Bottom weight Bold Alliance today’s course and distance last has come to hand nicely over the time out. He does have a past couple of months and has tendency to be a little slow into fully deserved his two recent wins. stride though, and with plenty His four successes though, have of speed in today’s race, that all been gained in much weaker could cost him. company and although a place is by no means out of the question, Lord London a win does seem unlikely at this After winning his first three level. career starts, Alistair Gordon’s Coffee Sheik charge was very highly regarded. Since being stepped up in class The lightly raced Coffee Sheik though, he has battled to make caught the eye when only beaten his presence felt and is now a short head by the subsequent without a win in sixteen Gr2 Natal Guineas third placed outings. He dislodged his runner Phantom Fighter in just jockey in his penultimate start his third career outing, and he did and having not been persevered then win his first start in handicap with last time out, he is company next time out. not easy to fancy. He was clearly below best when finishing seventh Take Over Target in his only subsequent A 6yo son of start and could yet still Copperbelt, Take improve. A dark horse. Over Target showed
National 2yo SALES TOPPER Colt & Filly
National Carrier Glen Puller’s charge has gained all four of his wins at this circuit and although three of those successes were achieved over 1000m, he has won over today’s trip. As with Bold Alliance though, his wins came against weaker and he has failed to make his presence felt in his most recent outings since being upped in class.
Directorate Since shedding his maiden tag over today’s course and distance on debut way back in 2008, Directorate has only raced over a trip this short once. He’s without a win in 20 outings now and is not easy to fancy.
About The Pace With most preferring to race handy or up with the speed the pace looks sure to be on here. Having just won two plate races, the unbeaten 3yo Unannounced might look to have a stiff task at this level. He is undoubtedly very talented though, and could yet prove to be anything. He gets the vote.
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