No. 1766 ISSN 1023 / 6996
MONDAY 19th- THURSDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER 2011
4
Mike’s Choice - is at the top of his game.
FLAMINGO PARK
12:20pm (Monday) p.5
CLAIRWOOD
1:05pm (Tuesday) p.12
DURBANVILLE
1:00pm (Wednesday) p.24
VAAL SAND
1:00pm (Thursday) p.32
The best of the action in midweek takes place at Clairwood on Tuesday where a MR97 Handicap over 1200m tops the bill. Mike’s Choice and Buragh look the most likely to fight it out on current form, but it certainly doesn’t stop there, writes STEVE FURNISH.
Top Choice
MR97 HANDICAP over 1200m at Clairwood on Tuesday
T
Mr Top he 5yo Mike’s Choice shoulders top weight. The veteran Mr Top has also Mike’s Choice gained most of his wins over His two most re- today’s trip. Sean Tarry’s charge cent wins have both been has been a little below best since gained over 1400m, but he returning from a nine month has won twice over 1200m layoff in May though, and he is earlier in his career and his re- now without a win in eleven cent form over today’s distance starts. He’s still racing off a mark is strong. Indeed, he was only five points higher than that of beaten 2,1 lengths when a run- his latest success, and on that, a ning on sixth in the Gr2 Post place is once again perhaps his Merchants in his penultimate best hope. Orbit War outing and he could well have bumped a top sort when a Adam Kethro’s charge perrunner up to the unbeaten formed with credit when Unannounced last time out. sprinting very early on in his Take Over Target career, but he has proven to be At one stage during the at his best over further. He was course of 2010, Tony not persevered with in just his Rivalland’s charge won six second start after returning from seven, and four of those from a three month break in successes were achieved over March, and having his first today’s course and distance. outing following another four He rose some 28 points in the month layoff here, he is best handicap as a result of that just watched for now. Duncan’s Duo string of victories though and has only made the frame once Representing the stable of in five starts since. He has been Duncan Howells are both Rekeeping good company bellious Streak and Excuse My though, and if ready, after a French. The veteran Rebellious break, must have a shout. Streak has proven to be at his
• Top class son of DANZIG out of unbeaten Gr1 winner • top class pedigree • $1.5 million yearling • Timeform 123
best over 1200m, but interestingly, he hasn’t managed to win in nine visits to this circuit. He returns from a six month break here and will probably need the run. The lightly raced Excuse My French on the other hand is a bit of a dark horse. He progressed quickly after shedding his maiden tag in just his third career start and caused a major upset when beating the likes of Run For It and Royal Zulu Warrior over 1400m in April. Excuse My French has been sparingly raced since then, but he was finishing as well as anything when out at the weights in a very strong field over today’s distance in July. This son of Jallad is more than likely better than rated and any amount of improvement must make him a serious runner here. Ridethebreeze Tried over various distances since making a winning debut in Jun ’10, Joey Ramsden’s charge has been ultra consistent. His two most recent outings over today’s trip have both
been good ones, but on the latest of those he does look held by Mike’s Choice. Buragh
Seeking a hat trick here, this son of Jet Master has been going from strength to strength during the course of 2011. Indeed, he’s risen 13 points in the handicap and has won his latest two outings going away. The manner of those latest successes would suggest that Buragh could still be one step ahead of the handicapper, and he does go particularly well over today’s distance. National Carrier
nine runs to win his maiden and he was badly out at the weights when out of the frame last time out. He is once again taking a big step up in class here though, and having not raced since May, others are preferred. Old Mac Donald
Cape Winter
The most lightly raced runner in the field, Cape Winter beat Highwayman’s Gold when shedding his maiden tag. He was off the track for nine months after finishing down field in his next start though and was then not seen out until finishing third in a novice event last month. At first glance Cape Winter would look to be out of his depth here, but he is more than likely better than currently rated and he could still improve out of all proportion. About The Pace
Thought good enough to contest the Gr1 Golden Horseshoe in just his fourth career start, Paul Lafferty’s charge has surprisingly only managed to win one race. He’s made the frame twice in four starts since returning from a seven month layoff in July, but he still performing a little below best and Although there are no out now up in class, he won’t find and out front runners in the After being dropped fifteen it easy here. field, there is enough speed in points in the handicap earlier in Punta Del Este the race to ensure a fair pace. the year, Glen Puller’s charge very quickly reeled off three After winning two of his Excuse My French, Buragh and wins. He’s gone back up ten first four career starts, Dennis Mike’s Choice are my favourpoints as a result of those suc- Drier’s charge has performed ites to fight it out with prefercesses though and since being with credit since being stepped ence being for the latter. stepped up in class, he’s been up in class. Further improvebattling to make his presence ment will no doubt be forthfelt. coming during the course of the season, but he does look Highwayman’s Gold well held here on his running Craig Eudey’s charge has proto Buragh last time out. gressed steadily since taking
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