Drier to keep running
DENNIS DRIER has hit the ground running this season with last Sunday’s five winners at Scottsville taking his winning tally to 15 for the season at a 19% winning strike rate.
Only Justin Snaith is ahead of him in the winner’s column with 21.
After an absence of nearly two months while the pull-up area was extended by 100m, Friday night racing on the Greyville poly track returns this evening and Drier can start where he left off – with another winner.
Taranaki
The gelding Taranaki, after catching the eye on debut, was well fancied to win his next start over the Scottsville 1 200m where he started favourite.
However, he was caught flat-footed over the final 200 m and did well to finish in the money behind debutant Cumulus that gave Nathan Kotzen the first winner of his career as a fully licensed trainer.
Given that run, it is not surprising that Taranaki has been stepped up to 1 600m and just to make sure the gelding’s mind stays on the job, he races in blinkers for the first time.
Drier has a chance of an early double as Al’s Bells will start among the fancied runners for the second, a fillies and mares maiden over 1 600m.
Al’s Bells
Al’s Bells made her debut on the poly track and then turned in two useful efforts on the Scottsville turf, the last over 1 400m where she found Girl In Gold a touch too smart.
Drier has also stepped her up in trip from a good draw and with Mauritzfontein retained rider and reigning champion jockey Anthony Delpech in the irons, she has a lot going for her.
In opposition, Delpech will also know exactly what his is up against in Roy’s Riviera after piloting Frank Robinson’s Australian-bred filly into a close-up third behind Colour Your Dreams.
She has no stamina doubts and has also drawn well but in an ironic twist, Drier’s stable jockey, Sean Veale, will be aboard Roy’s Riviera.
The third has a tricky look about it with Dean Kannemeyer back in action with Lady Lisha and Miss Milanna. Most of the Kannemeyer runners are returning from a break after their compulsory African Horse Sickness vaccinations so one needs to be a little cautious in this regard.
Miss Milanna
Miss Milanna, ridden by Delpech, made the better debut but Delpech has switched to Lady Lisha which may be a story in its self.
Song Of Mitu and Just One More have the best current form so it may prove prudent to keep a close eye on the betting. What A Moon is another Kannemeyer runner that is likely to start near the top of the boards in the fourth after two promising efforts on the poly.
However, he is another back from a break and with Drier in such mustard form and Captain Moss, much improved after gelding, having his second start after a lengthy break, one needs to be cautious.
Captains Moll takes on males in the Durban View Restaurant Handicap but is overdue her second win.
James Goodman’s yard has come to hand of late and although the filly takes on a competitive field she was a close-up second last time out and looks good enough to have the measure of the likes of Kali’s Champ, Keep Your Light On and Rock Master.