GOOSEN’S CHARGE CAN DO IT AGAIN
The gelding won an 1100m Turffontein race last time out
DESPITE having to carry top weight, Louis Goosen-trained four-year-old Doing It For Dan (jockey Piere Strydom) could be up to the task when taking on seven opponents in Race 2 on the Vaal sand today, a R105,000 Conditions Plate over 1000m.
This five-time winning Windrush gelding has fine credentials as he has missed the frame only twice in 16 career starts. Strydom knows what is required as he has partnered the gelding to victory four times, most recently when Doing It For Dan won with authority in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1100m at Turffontein last time.
The gelding has proven ability over this course and distance. He won over the trip on his racing debut, with Deon Sampson up, and in his next two starts, finished fourth in a Progress Plate and then sixth in a feature event. He has a bright chance to make a winning return to the sand track today.
However, a strong challenge can be expected from Dominic Zaki-trained four-time winner Precursor (apprentice Callan Murray), who has signalled a form return in his last two runs at this course where he was a good third to classy Trip Tease over 1000m and then fourth to Capricorn Ridge over 1200m. Having only 56.5kg to shoulder, thanks to Murray’s 1.5kg claim, will enhance the gelding’s chance of success.
Another worthy of consideration is Mike de Kock-trained Mootahadee (Anthony Delpech). The four-yearold three-time winner will be bidding for a course hat-trick after scoring over 1200m in both a MR 80 Handicap and a Pinnacle Stakes. The gelding’s indifferent last run, when unplaced in a MR 92 Handicap over 1200m, is best overlooked as that was on the Vaal turf course.
Making most appeal of the rest are Salute The Sun, Isphan and Wishful Heart.
Roy Magner-trained Miss December (Delpech) looks the one to beat in Race 3, a R105,000 Conditions Plate for fillies and mares over 1000m.
This consistent twotime winning daughter of Var has raced at this track only once and that was five runs back when she finished fourth in a MR 76 Handicap over the course and distance. She could improve on that run because she stumbled in running.
The four-year-old bounced right back next time with a resounding four-length win in a MR 76 Handicap over 1000m on the Vaal turf course. She placed in her three subsequent runs in tougher company, so she could make her presence felt.
Miss December’s main threat is stable companion Usisi, who teams up with champion jockey Gavin Lerena again and attempts a third consecutive win with the rider in the irons. Coming off a two-month rest, the mare flashed up from near last to snatch victory in a MR 76 Handicap over 1000m on the Vaal turf course in her penultimate start. The Australian-bred fiveyear-old again justified favouritism last time out, running on strongly to score by 0.80 lengths in a MR 79 Handicap over this course and distance. The combination should be in the final call again.
The pick of the others are Flame Cat, Wolverina, Seattle Lady and Seventh Symphony.