WIID’S COLT TO TURN ON THE POWER
Should handle the shorter trip
BRIAN Wiid-trained Angel’s Power justified solid betting support in his two outings with Andrew Fortune up and could complete the hat-trick at the Vaal turf course today when he teams up with star jockey Piere Strydom in Race 5 and main event, the R105,000 Racing. It’s A Rush MR 86 Handicap for three-yearolds over 1300m.
This son of Miesque’s Approval started his career with a gutsy win when backed in from long odds at Turffontein where he came storming through from last after a slow start to score by 0.90 lengths in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m. Switched to the Greyville Polytrack next time as a three-year-old and sent off favourite the colt was up to the task again, running on stoutly from off the speed to win by a half-length in a MR 66 Handicap over 1000m.
The manner of the colt’s finish in both outings gave a clear indication that he will be equally effective over today’s extra distance and looks a banker in all exotic bets.
Nevertheless, a bold bid can be expected from Roman Calamity (Ian Sturgeon) from Corne Spies’ stable. The gelding was placed three times in his first five runs but cracked his maiden win next time over 1450m at the Turffontein inside track.
However, he was overmatched in his subsequent and most recent run when unplaced on yielding ground over 1600m in the 16-strong Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes at Greyville. He could pose a threat today when stepping down in class and racing over a more suited distance.
Trainer Gary Alexander will fancy his chances with Duke Nukem despite Strydom jumping ship after having partnered him to victory on debut and opting for the ride on Angel’s Power today. It was a smart debut by the gelded son of Bankable a month back when stepping out as a three-yearold, as he rallied gamely in a field of 14 and scored by a half-length over 1000m at the Turffontein standside course.
The gelding is weighted with a competitive 56.5kg – 3.5kg less than Angel’s Power – and should make his presence felt in bidding for the double with highly experienced Weichong Marwing in the saddle.
The best of the others are Slinky Jack, African Ruler and Blue Blazer.
The tricky supporting topliner in the next race could go the way of Mike de Kock-trained Gain Ground who contests the R100,000 MR 90 Handicap for three-year-old fillies over 1300m.
The stable’s frontline jockey Anthony Delpech retains the ride on this daughter of Fort Wood who was on top of the betting boards in her three runs to date in juvenile company. She was unlucky on debut when a 0.75-length runner-up over 1600m at Greyville as she lost ground at the start and also stumbled.
Switched to Scottsville for her next two runs she again had to settle for second place, going under by a length over 1400m but giving the winner 4kg.