No. 1798 ISSN 1023 / 6996
5
MONDAY 9th - THURSDAY 12th JANUARY 2012
Thanks John - finished 4th in the 2009 Gold Cup
FLAMINGO PARK
12:20pm (Monday) p.5
VAAL TURF
12:55pm (Tuesday) p.13
GREYVILLE NIGHT
5:20pm (Tuesday) p.25
KENILWORTH
1:05pm (Wednesday) p.32
VAAL SAND
12:15pm (Thursday) p.37
MR96 HANDICAP over 2000m at Kenilworth (new course) on Wednesday The best of the action in midweek takes place in Cape Town where two MR96 Handicaps top the bill. Eleven go to post for the 2000m affair and with the majority having contested feature events in recent outings it looks to be an interesting contest, writes STEVE FURNISH.
H
eading the weights is the Dean Kannemeyer trained In Writing. Fourth in the Greyville 1900m back in May, this son of Editor’s Note has some very useful earlier form to his name. Campaigned over further in recent outings though, In Writing has been battling to find that kind of form and is now without a win in fourteen starts. It will be interesting to see how he goes now back over shorter.
Hollard Street As well as In Writing, the stable of Dean Kannemeyer is also represented by the 3yo Hollard Street. After winning his first outing beyond sprint distances, this son of Lundy’s Liability caught the eye run-
ning on into fourth in the Winter Juveniles Stakes and he was again finishing well when fourth to Orchard House over today’s distance on the old course last time out. The longer straight of the new course is sure to aid his cause and he has plenty of scope for natural improvement.
Thanks John
ing a thirteen month layoff last time out, and the extra here is sure to suit.
Komatipoort Stable companion Komatipoort is in good form at the moment and he did gain his latest success over today’s course and distance. He had three of today’s runners behind him when only beaten a length in the Gr3 Summer Stayers Handicap over 2500m here last time out and he was in under sufferance in that event. Komatipoort can still improve and on that alone he has to be a runner here.
The highest rated of trainer Mike Bass’ three runners is Thanks John. After winning four in a row, Thanks John looked to be a top stayer in the making back in 2009 and he did later that season run fourth in the Natal Gold Cup. He Another Giant appeared to be right back to his Making up the trio from the best when winning with authority over 1800m at this cir- stable of Mike Bass is the 5yo cuit in his fifth outing follow- Another Giant. This son of
Giant’s Causeway is often seen out over further than they race today, but he has done well around today’s distance. He’s as consistent as they come and should be thereabouts again.
Orchard House The best of trainer Joey Ramsden’s three runners in the race will more than likely be Orchard House. This lightly raced son of Casey Tibbs showed real promise in his first season and prior to a nine month layoff was thought good enough to contest the Gr1 Cape Derby. He ran on particularly well when winning his second start back in November and he did have three of today’s opponents behind him in that race. He was also finishing strongly after not getting the clearest of passages when behind Blake in the Gr3 Summer Stayers Handicap last time out. He can improve and clearly has claims.
layoff in October though, this 10yo has failed to finish better than ninth and one wonders if he shouldn’t rather be enjoying retirement.
presence felt after being raised some eight points in the handicap though and now up in class he is not easy to fancy here.
Arboreal Another veteran from the Ramsden stable battling to find his form since returning from a lengthy layoff is the 7yo Arboreal. He’s dropped right out after racing handy in each of his last two outings and is perhaps best just watched for now.
Once rated four points higher than today’s mark, the 6yo Slip This Way has failed to finish better than sixth in six of his seven outings since returning from a two year layoff in May, but in his other outing he did win a similarly rated handicap over today’s distance.
Born To Be Wild
About The Pace
Yet to finish out of the first two the lightly raced Born To Be Wild has been progressing very nicely. Indeed, he’s won three of his five outings and he did show that he will be a force to be reckoned with here when beating two of today’s rivals over 2500m at this circuit last time out. He can still improve and should be involved.
With candidates for the role of front runner amongst more than one of the powerful couplings, a fair pace should be forthcoming. Thanks John won particularly well last time out and in a race where plenty have chances it is he who gets the vote.
Omaha Beach
Bluemambo
Placed in both the Gold Cup and Gold Vase in 2007 and 2008, Omaha Beach was a top stayer earlier in his career. Since returning from a fifteen month
After a spell in the wilderness, Bluemambo came to hand nicely at the backend of last season and picked up two races. He’s again battled to make his
Slip This Way