Chrome Blue enjoying the poly
TRAINERS with satellite yards in KZN have the best of both worlds as they can shuttle horses back and forth from their home base and horses that are battling on the turf can be shipped to the Greyville poly without having to ‘raid’ or apply for boxes.
Dean Kannemeyer, Sean Tarry and Andre Nel are three that have exploited this opportunity to their advantage with great success.
A prime example is the Kannemeyer-trained Chrome Blue who lines up in the Build It Handicap at Greyville on Friday evening.
The five-year-old appeared to have found his mark in Cape Town where he was struggling to add a fourth success after 28 runs but shipped to Durban and the Greyville poly, the transformation was instant as Chrome Blue turned in his best effort for some time, finishing with a rattle to get within a length of winner Icy Avalanche.
He does not face the strongest of fields on Friday and is likely to start a warm favourite although he shouldn’t have things all his own way.
The lightly raced Warfarer has only ever raced on the poly and has put in two useful efforts over the course and distance since shedding his maiden for Lezeanne Forbes.
Serino Moodley has lost his 4kg claim after his three winners over the weekend.
He is still good value for his 2.5kg claim and Warfarer looks a likely threat to the chances of Chrome Blue.
The Nel-trained Arctic Teon is another that falls into the ‘shuttle’ category although in his case his Cape form was good albeit in the maidens.
He made a winning debut on the poly track and has since followed up on the turf.
He has little mileage on the clock and is capable of going in again.
Because of the numbers that stood their ground at final acceptances the MR70 Handicap was split into two races and Kannemeyer could benefit again as he saddles Night Circus in the Hibiscus Coast Security Handicap.
He was the odds-on favourite and obviously the stable elect in the race won by Icy Avalanche with stable companion Chrome Blue edging him out of second spot.
Both his wins have come on the poly and from a pole position draw he can pay back his supporters.
Likely to start at attractive odds is the Paul Gadsby-trained Techno Captain.
Although only recently shedding his maiden, the gelding has plenty of ability but is not the easiest of rides. However, he appears to have settled and got his mind on the job which could make things difficult for Night Circus.
The Kannemeyer-trained Irish Dynasty is another Cape Town battler making his KZN debut on the polyand off bottom weight could upstage stable companion and top weight Night Circus.
First Apostle and Live On The Moon are others to consider.
Kept Secret is back up against her own sex in the Fastprint Handicap and Belinda Impey’s mare is long overdue her fourth visit to the winner’s enclosure.
She has been close-up in her last three against males, last time out shouldering top weight, and although she faces some younger rivals that are still improving she should be right there.
Royal Rose and Wild Irish are two of the younger brigade and Royal Rose in particular looks a threat. Frank Robinson tried her in blinkers last time out and she only ran out of steam late in a tougher field than she meets here.
The drop in class and trip should work in her favour.