Let’s all go marching together
MARCHINGONTOG ETHER makes his seasonal debut on the Greyville poly today and just how he fares should give some indication of where he is headed.
The signs are good for Gavin van Zyl’s colt, who since being stepped up in trip, is unbeaten and gives the impression that he could be a classic contender.
His trainer concurs. “He’s a progressive horse. A nice big-striding Pathfork from a good family. His half-brother ran in the Gold Cup and won about six races for the Bass’s, they trained him so there is a bit of stamina in the family,” said van Zyl post-race. “He won twice over a mile here and both times won impressively. We can look forward to a bit of fun with this horse.”
He takes on a field of hard-knockers in the fifth including recent winner Gunner, Q The Music and Savuti.
Gunner, a Gr1 winner as a juvenile, is finally down to a more competitive rating and showed that by winning his last start.
“He was precocious as a juvenile but you have to be careful of those horses,” said Paul Gadsby.
“I never thought he was a Group 1 horse but he’s now down to a more competitive rating.” He won well enough ion the Greyville poly although he did pick up a five-pound penalty for that win.
The KZN Trainer’s Association AGM takes place tomorrow and the issue of barrier trials will be put to the vote and the outcome of what amounts to a referendum will be keenly monitored. Some trainers are fore, others vehemently against other’s feel that the system can be tweaked to please all.
Wendylle
Whatever, it’s the battle of the barrier trials in the card opener where Wendylle and Opensea look the two most likely protagonists.
Both have had two trials, both smart efforts.
The grey has shown good pace in both is trial and this short-cut on the poly should be right up his alley. Opensea, named after Gavin van Zyl’s head lad who was formerly head lad for now Australia-based David Payne, has trialled well on both occasions and has had the benefit of a sprint on the poly. He also shows a lot of pace and could be a threat to the grey.
Duke’s Dozen trialled well enough but Brett Crawford’s gelding is bred to stay much further.
A win here will make him a prospect worth following.
Walterthepenniless
In the second, Walterthepenniless, from the very much in-form Dennis Drier yard, has been close-up in both starts and goes well on the poly.
He was a touch unlucky last time out and can make amends.
The dangers are many however with Great Stohvanen, Ultra Magnus, One Destiny and Gordonstoun all in with a shout.
Spume has a lot in his favour in the opening leg of the Pick 6 and although it could prove risky, he has enough in his favour to suggest that punters can go light in this leg of the exotic. Zigi Zagi Zugi and Stone Tiger look pick of the balance.
Silver Prancer is long overdue a win and although a distant second last time out she could have the better of Roy’s Novice and the lightly raced Reactive Glaze who should enjoy the extra furlong.
Star Evolution and O’Keeffe appeal most in the sixth. O’Keeffe has come well on the poly but Star Evolution went down narrowly when trying to make all the running in first-time blinkers and can give Morne Winnaar his first winner since moving up from Cape Town for the Glen Kotzen satellite yard.
Kateecador
Kateecador has smart form over course and distance, winning her last two, but could find Shane Humby’s mare Neala too hot to handle.
She was just short of a gallop when second behind Pata and has useful form on the poly.
Marshal That
Finally, Marshal That is back on his best surface.
He was possibly just short of a run when returning from a break last time out. Of the balance, Real Vision has a light weight and was much improved in blinkers while Timeous goes well on this surface and should be a contender.