Mastagambit to make his move
THE Summerveld dogs have been barking the name Mastagambit for some time now and he finally lines up in the first at Scottsville this afternoon. Dennis Drier is a veteran of a sport where anything can go wrong at any time so was cautious in his comment. “Nice horse but may be a bit short”.
Mastagambit is a son of the once Driertrained Master Of My Fate, a hugely talented colt whose feisty temperament gave his trainer many a sleepless night, but if he has imparted any of his talent to Mastagambit, it will take a good one to beat him.
Also in the first race line-up is the son of the smart race-mare Sunshine Lover, bought by one of the shrewdest horsemen around, Barry Irwin.
The well-named Bronzed, a son of Oratorio, also opens his account but at the top of the Track & Ball boards yesterday was Across Seattle.
Mark Dixon’s runner has had valuable experience over course and distance where he took on winners on debut.
He finished a creditable third to the promising Val-La-Ree so Mastagambit will need to be all that he is cracked up to be as experience generally counts for a few extra lengths.
The barrier trial debate rages on relentlessly but their value to punters is not conclusive as at the time of writing they were optional.
From Thursday they become compulsory in KZN for all first-timers and horses that have been off the track for 120 days so one should get a clearer picture and with all relevant information available, the form of the trials may work out.
The ryder being that punters will need to watch these trials closely as there is no winner or loser, but some trial ‘form’ could prove stronger than others.
The value of the trials will be tested again in the opening leg of the PA where Minaloushe Venture is rated way above anything else in what has stacked up into a fairly modest field.
Dennis Bosch’s runner is overdue a maiden win and barring a ‘springer’ he should prove difficult to beat.
He is the current ante-post favourite at 14-10 but Desert Thief, making his racing debut for Brett Crawford after putting up a prominent showing in a barrier trial, is not short of support at 2-1.
Without the trial, the only public guide would be the betting and the generosity of the connections when approached for first-timer comments.
Desert Thief
Crawford’s Western Cape-based stable jockey, Corne Orffer, will be aboard Desert Thief but Anthony Delpech steps aboard the Crawford runner Game Changer in the opening leg of the Pick 6.
Game Changer has had two barrier trials, first in his latest effort with steel shoes, and has been priced up 12-10 favourite in the ante post market ahead of Mark Dixon’s runner, Two Stroke, at 33-10.
Surprise package outsider Don Pierro.
The Gary Rich-trained gelding can be a nightmare getting onto the track in the mornings but once over his tantrums he puts in some decent work. Don Pierro behaved perfectly in his race course debut and did all that was asked of him. But Rich is still on edge.
“That was all new to him so he behaved himself. Now that he knows what’s going on he could start his nonsense again.
“He has come on from that run so we are holding thumbs.”
Des Egdes hands in his trainer’s licence tomorrow and saddles his last runner in Le could be the rank Cheik in the fifth. Dessie’s face will be missed after over three decades in the sport but he will be aiming to sign off on a winning note.
Le Cheik
Le Cheik goes well over course and distance but there are no prisoners in this game and Le Cheik may have to play second fiddle to Alyson’s Wright’s Root Beer who finished three lengths ahead of Le Cheik last time out.
It was a reversal of form with Le Cheik having finished ahead of Root Beer at their previous meeting.
In a seven-horse field over 2 400m, pace will be the crucial factor between winning and losing.