Bubbly ready for Celebration Rock
AFTER making a smart debut, Celebration Rock was tossed in at the deep end by Paul Lafferty when taking on winners and feature company at only his second start.
Very little went right in the race, a tardy start and green from an outside draw, but back in maiden company the Australian import can make amends in the first at Scottsville today.
Anton Marcus takes over in the saddle and Lafferty has declared blinkers on his charge.
Given his excellent debut over course and distance his host of connections could be celebrating in the winner’s enclosure. But this may not be plain sailing.
Apprentice Khanya Sakayi is riding with supreme confidence at present and although he lost his 4kg claim on Sunday and Louis Goosen’s filly only gets a 2.5kg relief, she looks primed to make a bold bid.
Vi Va Pi Pa
Vi Va Pi Pa did not get the best of passages when pitted against winners at second time of asking, also her first race over ground. It was probably a calculated risk by trainer Sean Tarry, that race being on Super Saturday, the penultimate day of last season.
Vi Va Pi Pa could prove a better proposition over today’s 1400m trip.
Goosen saddles the most obvious danger in Linnger Longer. His filly has been building up slowly to a point where she appears cherry-ripe for Sakayi to continue on his winning streak.
The Blinkers Bar Maiden Plate is something of a punter’s mine-field with a number of runners having solid form to back their claims.
There appears to be little between Julie Dittmer’s pair of Purple And Gold and Chatty Cathy while Asiana and Queen Makeda both have promising form, the latter having her third run after a break and being fitted with a tongue-tie.
However, The Duncan Howells yard is starting to hit form and Little Audrey looks primed for this race.
Purple And Gold
She was running on strongly from well back behind Shadow Hunter and although Purple And Gold and Queen Makeda both finished ahead of her on that occasion, the step up in trip could see that form reversed.
Writing on his website, Howells said there were concerns aver the filly settling in her race but barring that, should run very well.
The Track & Ball Gaming Maiden has attracted a modest field where Belfry and Prince Ardent look the principal contenders.
Belfry has battling Highveld form but did finish runner-up at the Vaal last week and the step up in trip could finally see him home.
Blinkers have obviously not had the desired effect on Prince Ardent and they come off today.
Roberts has kept the gelding to the poly for all of his recent races and the switch to turf could bring out the best in him.
Shane Humby has had a string of runner-up places over the past fortnight but Neala can go one better for the Ashburton trainer in the sixth.
The mare was coming off a long break when ‘winning’ her barrier trial and it was an impressive performance as Tristan Godden never let the mare off the bit to get home ahead of Township Melody - the latter franking that showing by winning next time out.
Neala does shoulder a hefty 62.5kg against some quick opposition so is no certainty by a long chalk and the likes of Gratuity, Di Mazzio and Pata Pata all warrant serious consideration.
Roy’s Magic
Roy’s Magic revelled with the sting out of the ground to win comfortably last time out and with some rain forecast for today Kom Naidoo’s gelding can go in again in a competitive handicap where Silver Cent and Edge Of The Sun look lively threats.
High Altar is a highly-strung mare but Howells appears to have got on top of her and she can round off the meeting with her third win on the bounce.
High Altar shoulders joint top weight but is down in class.
There is a concern that she may over-race from an outside draw but if she settles she can get the better of Cosima and Mark My Card who has tumbled in the ratings.