No. 2002 ISSN 1023 / 6996
MONDAY 23rd - THURSDAY 26th DECEMBER 2013
SCOTTSVILLE 12:50pm (Monday) p.5
VAAL SAND 12:15pm (Tuesday) p.14
CLAIRWOOD 12:00pm (Thursday) p.25
Great Scott. MJ Odendaal could play Santa for punters when he rides Colin Scott's Dynasty gelding Fourth Estate at Clairwood on Thursday
Gr3 CHRISTMAS HANDICAP at Clairwood on Thursday
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Recent unprecedented weather related disruptions to the KZN racing programme means that substantial current form is missing from the gift stocking for punters when the R200 000 Gr3 Christmas Handicap is run over a mile at Clairwood on Boxing Day.
here cannot be a surplus of festive cheer in the corridors of power in KwaZulu Natal horseracing at the moment with racing enthusiasts having to deal with a confusing
roster of postponed, switched and abandoned meetings. Besides the impact on the bottom line and the loss of lustre on the desirability of the product, trainers are also faced with seriously impaired race, work and fitness routines.It is enough to induce a sense of
serious caution and perhaps even a chance to play your Lotto numbers rather than trying to analyse the facts.
Christmas Card
A field of 14 runners lines up on a bumper card (there are upsides to losing meetings),
and this is not a race for the faint of heart. There is bound to be a solid pace, with some regular pacers present. Colin Scott and MJ Odendaal have formed a formidable powerful combination on the East Coast and they will be holding thumbs that their Dynasty gelding Fourth Estate maintains his recent boost of enthusiasm. Fourth Estate is a solid winner of 7 of 32 starts and cruised in last time to beat the capable frontrunner Always
Al over the Greyville 1400m. The confidence from the connections and his rider that evening was tangible, and he won far more readily than the marging suggests. He does meet Always Al on 2,5 kgs worse terms, but Fourth Estate was not at full stretch. His proven course and distance track record also boosts his prospects.
upsetting the odds last year. He is a lightly raced winner of 4 races from 11 starts, and fitness will have to be taken on trust. Anthony Delpech is an interesting jockey engagement. Cont. p.2
Silver Bells
Jeff Freedman saddles the Requiem gelding Silver Age, who has not run since
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Tel: Mike Sharkey 082 372 2682 www.highlandsfarmstud.co.za