Aeronautical is ready to fly
THE lightly raced Aeronautical out of the Mike and Adam Azzie yard could help punters out on a tricky card at the Vaal today.
Aeronautical runs in the seventh and has only had three starts finishing runnerup in his last two.
He stays the trip well and if merit ratings are anything to go by, he should prove difficult to beat.
However, there are a pair of three-yearolds that caught the eye on debut and both are stepping up to a trip which, on pedigree anyway, looks more suitable.
Blame Game comes from the powerful Sean Tarry yard and was staying on nicely on debut over 1400m while Popsicle Toes was only run out of it late when making his debut over 1800m.
Both should improve so it may be prudent to include both to provide back-up to Aeronautical.
Pachanga has not been out of the money since joining Ashleigh Fortune’s yard but it is a little worrying that she never seems to make it past the eventual winner, finishing runner-up in her last five outings.
She was touched off a piece of paper last time out and maybe this time Gavin Lerena can get her home as she tries 2000m for the first time.
These two will be popular exotic bet bankers for the smaller investor as they will be hard-pressed to get through the balance of the card unscathed.
The opening leg of the PA is an Assessment Plate for fillies and mares where Railtrip is likely to be a popular choice. However, Chesney van Zyl’s filly has shown her best form over further and is returning from a break which could open the door for the likes of the lightly raced Captain’s Princess who contested strong feature races last season.
She is smart and at best should feature prominently along with Vivir, who should be more at home over this trip.
In the opening leg of the Pick 6 Bien Venue sprinted up well in his seasonal debut and has shown plenty of ability.
The extra should also suit. Of the balance, Orpheus showed up well first time back after gelding.
He is lightly raced but has potential. Deerupt takes on some useful males but cannot be written off even though she took a little time to shed her maiden. She has not been out of the money in five outings.
The fifth is a tough handicap made even more difficult it being a race exclusively for apprentice riders.
Endofmarch started a short-priced favourite for his new stable but finished down-field but he had some useful Cape form before that and may be worth another chance.
Pachuco came from a long way back to finish third last time out. He has a light weight and an experienced apprentice aboard.
Gonnafly has been taking on stronger at recent outings. He takes another merit rating drop and with a 4kg claimer up can be dangerous while Trip To Paradise came from well back to finish in the money last run and a repeat should see him competitive again.
The sixth is wide open. Come The Day continues to improve and was a game winner last time out. He is bred for this trip and can follow up. Odd Rob is an obvious danger having been in the money in his last four. He was closing fast on Come The Day last time out but didn’t quite get there so there should not be much between these two again.
American Indian tried to make all in that same race but faded late. Given a more patient ride he could do better. Psychic ran well below ability last start at Turffontein but his best showings have been on this course so can make amends. CAPE Guineas winner Tap O’Noth, pictured, who will wear blinkers for the first time, has been installed 8-10 favourite with the sponsors for the World Sports Betting Matchem Stakes at Durbanville on Saturday.
Favourites have won three of the last five runnings.
Rainbow Bridge is second favourite at 4-1 to remain unbeaten while Fifty Cents is next and as big as 8-1 even though Richard Fourie’s mount has won on all his four previous visits to the course.
Our Mate Art
Last year’s winner Our Mate Art is a 10-1 chance as he was 12 months ago.
Goodtime Gal, like Tap O’Noth to be ridden by Anton Marcus, is 3-1 favourite to repeat last year’s success in the WSB Diana Stakes with Freedom Charter, Angel’s Trumpet and the three-yearold Lesedi La Rona all sharing second favouritism on 9-2.
Langerman winner One World, yet another big Marcus ride, is 5-10 for the First Deposit Match Progress Place.
Met winner Whisky Baron, fresh from that stunning second in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood, now travels to France for the Qatar Prix Dollar at Longchamp on Saturday.
William Haggas has still to finalise riding arrangements for the Group 2 test.
Charles, a R6 million recordequaller when bought as a yearling for Sue Magnier and Markus Jooste, still races In Mrs Magnier’s dark blue but the Mayfair Speculators’ share has been taken over by Diane Nagle, Linda Shanahan, Dina Sherrell and B.L. Rae.
The colt managed only a well-beaten fourth behind runaway winner Hemmingway in the Settlers Trophy Handicap at Durbanville yesterday but Brett Crawford still had a good day with three winners including a future star in Front And Centre who started 15-10 favourite for the 1 400m fillies handicap and made up six lengths inside a furlong to win pulling up.
Anton Marcus said: “I am pretty excited about her. She is just so professional – she put herself into position.”
Crawford is now considering the Western Cape Fillies Championship at Kenilworth on the 28th saying, with masterly understatement, “She is a very smart filly.”
Heaven’s Embrace
The winner is owned by the Kieswetter brothers and the Ridgemont Highlands Stud stud of their father Wayne who piloted himself to the course in his own helicopter and who was also on the mark with stable companion Heaven’s Embrace in the 1 400m fillies maiden.
The 4-1 newcomer showed an impressive turn of foot under Marcus.
Crawford said: “I expected her to run very well but not to win – she is still very immature and has a lot to learn. I will give her another run and then make a decision about plans15-10.”