Change of tactics for ‘King’

POWER GRID could be worth another chance in the Buco Handicap at Kenilworth tomorrow despite his disappointing run ten days ago. Hopes were high after his scintillating Pinnacle performance but he never got into the race. The stipes reported that he was hanging in the closing stages but Andries Steyn was left scratching his head.

“The ground wasn’t that soft and maybe he was feeling something on that leg of his although I don’t think he was,” says the trainer.

“Maybe I had him a bit short of work and possibly the 1 000m was too short for him. But he worked very well on Tuesday and I think he will be a different horse this time.”

The number two draw should help as the ground has been slightly faster towards the inside on the sprint course. Forecast favourite Cuban Emerald, on the other hand, is likely to have to tack across.

Different tactics are going to be adopted on Icon King when he steps up to a mile in the Isotherm Handicap.

The bargain buy’s good last run suggested that the handicappers have taken his measure but Mike Stewart does not agree, saying: “I think there are a couple more races in him.

“They went too fast for him last time and, if he doesn’t get to the front, he doesn’t try because he doesn’t want to go past horses.

“This time he goes to the front from the start and I think he will stay the trip.”

Captain Courteous

Perhaps the most important negative is that the horse has never won in the soft whereas Captain Courteous, New Caledonia and Solar Night have all won twice in it. Solar Night has been off since March and it could a be a bit far for New Caledonia so Captain Courteous rates the danger and he is closely handicapped with old rival Perovskia.

The opening Swartland Maiden Plate looks particularly difficult but Herodus has some solid form – ignore last time because it was in a work riders.

He holds Varside and Seventh Rule and may account for the badly drawn Steel Rose.

Don’t ignore Varside, though, because he wears blinkers for the first time.

Sean Veale flies down for five rides for Eric Sands. He could get into the shake-up on Seventh Rule but his best prospects are on Bendy Bullet in the Medal Paints Maiden 35 minutes later.

The filly is not well drawn but she may be good enough to beat Snow Crystal and Platinum Class.