Snowdon to turn tables on Merhee
Ferraris’ runner seeks revenge
FIVE-YEAR-OLD sprinter Snowdon from the Ormond Ferraris stable can exact revenge when renewing rivalry with Mike de Kock-trained Merhee in Race 4 and main event – the R115 000 Pinnacle Stakes over 1200m at the Vaal turf course today.
This seven-time win
ner has held form well since scoring an overdue win four runs back over 1160m at Turffontein with apprentice Nooresh Juglall in the irons. Sean Cormack was aboard the gelding last time when an unlucky close second to Merhee (Anthony Delpech) in the Grade 2 Senor Santa Handicap over 1160m at Turffontein. It was indeed a gallant effort under top weight of 60kg, as he carried 6kg more than Merhee.
Snowdon has a bright chance to turn the tables as he will be ridden by Nooresh Juglall this time and will have a further advantage in giving Merhee only 1.5kg.
However, four-time winner Merhee, who will be ridden by Marco van Rensburg this time, should not be written off as the last time he raced at the Vaal turf course was four runs back when an easy three-length winner over 1400m. The four-year-old colt must be respected as he is drawn alongside Snowdon and is unlikely to go under without a fight.
Also worthy of consideration is Sean Tarry’s charge Across The Ice with log-leader Piere Strydom aboard. The six-year-old gelding a winner of two of his last three starts – two of which were decisive wins at the Vaal sand track. The seven-time winner is equally effective on a grass surface. His last run on grass was in his penultimate outing when a creditable third to Merhee and Snowdon in the Senor Santa Handicap.
Another who deserves respect is Mike Azzietrained Yukon Gold (Robbie Fradd). This three-year-old threetime winner has taken a liking to this course – winning two of his last three starts over 1200m decisively when ridden by Fradd. The gelding was not disgraced in his penultimate run when partnered by Sherman Brown as he was only narrowly beaten over the same distance.
De Kock also sends out Desert Sheik with 4kg claiming apprentice Franklin Maleking in the saddle.
The three-year-old was narrowly beaten first time out over 1400m at Turffontein and justified solid betting support in his next three outings with a splendid hat-trick of wins.
His disappointing next run when stepping up the distance to 1600m in the Grade 1 Dingaans Handicap should be ignored as he was unruly at the start and was badly away. Subsequently gelded and rested for five months, he is likely to be fit and must come into the reckoning.
Kom Naidoo-trained Napoleon Dynamite (Donavan Mansour) has the ability to claim a minor place in this small field.
The seven-year-old has been racing with success on sand at the Vaal track where he easily scored an eighth career win four runs back in the R129 000 Lightning Stakes over 1000m.