No. 1808 ISSN 1023 / 6996
lue The Best Va Anywhere!
5
MONDAY 13th - THURSDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2012
Deliver The Power - won 5 from 6 over sprint distances.
FAIRVIEW
12:45pm (Monday) p.5
SCOTTSVILLE
12:30pm (Tuesday) p.12
TURFFONTEIN
5:35pm (Tuesday) p.20
KENILWORTH
1:05pm (Wednesday) p.31
VAAL SAND
12:15pm (Thursday) p.37
Gr3 TOMMY HOTSPUR HANDICAP over 1000m at Turffontein on Tuesday night Heading up another very busy program in midweek is the Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap at Turffontein on Tuesday. Eleven are set to go to post and with two very promising 3yo’s amongst them, it looks to be a very interesting affair, writes STEVE FURNISH.
H
eading the weights is last year’s winner of this event Magico. This 4yo son of Dupont has been sparingly raced since then and his form has been a little in and out. He did also go on to run a very creditable fourth to Val De Ra in the Gr1 Computa-form Sprint over today’s course and distance last season and a repeat of that effort A winner of three from four over today’s course and distance, would certainly make him a runner here despite the weight. Louis Goosen’s charge has had Mannequin two lengthy layoffs since then, The highest rated of the two females in the event is the Kahal but after returning from the latmare Mannequin. Equally effective on both sand and turf, Paul est of those in November, she has Matchett’s charge has been a model of consistency and has won two from three. already won ten races. She’s sure to give of her best and could Storm Vanidoso make the frame. The lone raider from out of Deliver The Power town is the Natal based Storm A winner of five of his seven starts to date, the Toreador Vanidoso. After shedding his gelding Deliver The Power has been going from strength to maiden tag at the first attempt strength since finishing runner up on debut. Indeed, his only over today’s distance back in Jun defeat since came when fourth to the subsequent Dingaans third ’09, Dennis Bosch’s charge then Straw Market, and that was in his only outing beyond sprint went seven starts without a win. distances. One of just two 3yo’s in the race, Dominic Zaki’s Since being given a three month charge can still improve plenty and has to be a very serious runner break at the end of last season though, this son of Bernstein has here. won all three starts with authorWaywest Goddess ity. Storm Vanidoso does now The filly Waywest Goddess won both the Ruffian Stakes and take a big step up in class, but he Gauteng Fillies Nursery as a juvenile and then went on to run is clearly still improving and on a very creditable second in the Gr1 Allan Robertson at Scottsville. that alone must have a shout.
Furious Dancer Having won his last two starts, Kom Naidoo’s charge is at the top of his game right now. As with three of his other four career victories though, those latest two successes were both gained on sand. His only win on turf being his maiden victory at Scottsville in Jan ’10. It will be interesting to see how he goes.
Midnight Serenade Yet to finish out of the Trifecta, Diane Stenger’s charge wound up a very promising first campaign last season with a third placing in the prestigious Gr1 Gold Medallion over 1200m at Scottsville. He’s unbeaten over 1000m and one of those successes was gained over today’s course and distance.
Midnight Serenade was beaten fair and square by Deliver The Power last time out, but that was over 1160m, and now 0,5kg better off at the weights in this his third run after a rest, a big run can be expected.
Kayhaladin Seventh in this race last season, the former Cape Town campaigner Kayhaladin only raced four times during 2011. He’s only managed to win one of his ten previous outings over today’s distance and returning from a 45 week layoff here, he cannot be fancied.
Treading Water The only coupling in the race is that of Leon Erasmus who saddles all of Second World, Benbow and Maji
Moto. Second World and Benbow have only managed one win in their last twenty starts, and with Maji Moto 5kg under sufferance, they should all be outclassed here.
About The Pace With most preferring to race up with or close to the speed, a good pace looks assured. Storm Vanidoso and Midnight Serenade are both very serious runners here as is the top weight Magico. The one I like best on the day though is the improving 3yo Deliver The Power.