Step up with Ladder Man

JUSTIN SNAITH, on the crest of a wave at the moment, can hit the ground running with Ladder Man in the first at Durbanville today. This colt, by sire of the moment Twice Over, lost ground at the start and raced green when fourth of seven on debut.

At the time the form didn’t seem to amount to much, largely because the race was won by Quarllo who had been a maiden for 21 races and nearly four seasons.

But second-placed Lanza has won well since while the third (Elusive Trader) had gone close on his previous start.

“Ladder Man has come on a fair bit since and I have managed to get a gallop into him which always helps,” says the new champion trainer.

“He will be in the first two.”

Richard Fourie’s mount was 16-10 joint favourite yesterday with World Sports Betting which has More Magic on the same price.

This one keeps running well – he has been beaten an average of only just over a length in his last three starts – but he has proved expensive: 8-11 last time and a very costly 2-7 in his previous race.

“He doesn’t get a draw and he hasn’t again here,” comments Candice BassRobinson.

Hidden Influence

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Hidden Influence, although an 8-1 shot, seems certain to get into the shake-up. He ran well in the race won by the above average Clouded Hill and now Bernard Fayd’Herbe is in the irons.

Snaith’s The Suit is 9-2 for race two after disappointing when favourite four weeks ago (Snaith: “It was the wide draw and he is again drawn badly here”) and preference is for 33-10 joint favourite Apollo Ace who is well drawn while the last two of his three runs read well.

Seattle Force is also on 33-10 but the Glen Kotzen colt is drawn eight out of 11 which is going to make life difficult for Robert Khathi.

Hither Green at 9-2 has a bit to do on ratings in the Tabonline.co.za Maiden but Fourie’s mount had 33-10 shot Arinza nearly two lengths behind last time when Elusive Diva (8-1 here) threw away her chance by pulling hard and finished tailed off.

The normally consistent Spectra Force ran below par when favourite last time (he played up in the pens) and could be worth another chance at 9-2 in the Play Soccer 6 Handicap (race five). He has a good draw and is ridden by an in-form 4kg claimer.

In the Supabets Handicap 22-10 favourite Para Handy’s weight advantage may enable him to beat Fayd’Herbe’s mount Silver Master.