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THE dogs were barking the name Brooks-Club when he lined up for the Drum Star Handicap earlier this month but a tough draw over a trip possibly not his optimum proved is undoing.
But he was staying on behind winner Bouclette Top and he returns to the Vaal sand tomorrow in the Listed Riverside Handicap over 1 450m where he has put up his best recent performance.
Augustinus
Contesting a Pinnacle Stakes race he was a battling second behind Augustinus in an eight-horse field and if he can reproduce that form he is in with a strong chance.
Vaughan Marshall will have been left scratching his head after Exelero again failed to produce his best form on Saturday and he faces a new challenge when saddling Chestnut’s Rocket for his sand debut.
Horse Chestnut
The gelded son of Horse Chestnut has been matching strides with useful opposition in the Western Cape and although his Highveld debut was nothing to write home about, if he takes to the sand he could take a power of beating.
Corne Spies must have an astronomical monthly petrol bill as he travels the country with his runners – Borrowdale in Zimbabwe was his target yesterday.
His top weight Kiss Me Hardy has been back and forth to Kimberley these past couple of months and the three-year-old starts his 14th heat tomorrow.
He does have a tricky task under 62kg but one can guarantee that Kiss Me Hardy will not be short of a gallop. Bottom weight Samogan look pick of the balance.
Sean Tarry saddles Samogan in the Riverside Handicap and a stable that is in red hot form could pull of the double with Jade Vine in the Listed Nkosazana Stakes that follows.
In contrast to Samogan, Jade Vine shoulders top weight but has excellent form on this surface.
If she does have a chink it could be the 1 450m trip as her current form is all over shorter and her only recent failure was over the course behind stable companion Tinchy Stryder.
A better proposition could be Be Mine Tonight from the Dom Zaki yard. She stays the trip, has a handy weight and goes very well for apprentice Ryan Munger. Trip Tease and Tiger Territory renew rivalry in the Racing.
It’s A Rush Pinnacle Stakes with the two last having crossed swords in the Lobelo Sprint where Trip Tease proved too good in giving the runner-up 9kg.
Tiger Territory has since gone on to win a further three races and now meets his rival at level weights.
Trip Tease has only had one outing since that clash, finishing just over two lengths back to Alboran Sea in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship, and comes into this race with the fresher legs.
Both are accomplished sprinters over the course and distance but given fresh legs and the turnover in the weights, Trip Tease looks the more likely winner.