Door opens for Humidor
THE move to the Greyville polytrack, from Scottsville, will affect assessments of many runners today and a number of scratchings can be expected due to the change of venue. Amazon King was withdrawn from the eighth race shortly after the change in venue was announced and this opens the door for Humidor who has proven form on the poly.
Tony Rivalland’s runner does have his fair share of niggles and has only had 10 runs in a career spanning three seasons but he has won five of those outings.
His connections have recently been tempted by some lucrative prize money and Humidor has been pushed beyond what looks to be his optimum trip.
There were signs of a form return last time out where, in spite of starting a short priced favourite, he was just over a length back to Panza over today’s distance.
Panza, also in today’s race, has been fairly consistent since, but disappointed last time out on the Greyville polytrack. Humidor won making all on the Greyville poly three starts back and with the blinkers back on he can turn the tables with Panza. Anton Marcus was aboard Humidor for the gelding’s last outing but contractual obligations see him aboard Dance On Air for Charles Laird and Mayfair Speculators.
The gelding has not been out since winning on the Greyville poly in early December and the form of that race has worked out well. He seems equally effective over this shorter trip and must be in with a chance.
The change in distance to 2 000m, from 2 400m, will add to the complexity surrounding today’s sixth race but a number of early scratchings does help the chances of the Gavin Van Zyltrained Calabash who was just over a length adrift of Sabre Charge and Forbidden Duel at his last start.
With the latter two withdrawn, the lightly raced Calabash appears a solid option especially considering his proven form on the poly.
Silver Rose and Olympic Power have consistently good form on the poly and one can expect decent efforts from both runners today. The lurker could be Rio De La Plata who has been steadily dropping in the ratings (89 > 75) but showed a return to form last time out.
Anthony Delpech gets back on board Rio De La Plata today and it’s worth noting that he has partnered the four-year-old gelding to all three of his career wins.