Humby getting hotter
All eyes on Miss Frankel
Former Cape trainer Shane Humby has had rather a quiet start following his relocation to KZN, but things could change at Scottsville today as he saddles a couple of lively contenders. Midnight Vision could pop up in Race 6 – a MR 83 Handicap and the strongest race on the card. Like most Humby runners he needed his first sprint in KZN, and will improve plenty over this 1400m, although ideally he would prefer another 200m. He should still be making his presence felt late though, and has Eachway claims. The lightly raced Head Honcho is likely to go off a weak favourite in this open contest, and is another who has to be seriously considered, although this is stronger than those he met on the Polytrack last time. Flying Silver and Saint Marco both represent Garth Puller and have done well at this track. They both demand inclusion in exotics. Top weight Alaadel has his second run for the Joey Ramsden yard, and is another to consider with champion jockey Anthony Delpech up. Humby’s best chance comes in Race 7 however, a MR 71 over the same distance. Waywood won two of four in Cape Town, and was a most encouraging close up fourth in his opening KZN appearance. While drawn a bit wide, this shouldn’t deter too much, as he normally comes from off the pace anyway, and should go mighty close. Easy maiden winner Barinois and the decent threeyear-old Rock My Soul look the main dangers, while Blackball and The Dazzler also make some appeal. A lot of eyes will be watching Race 3 with interest, where the almost unbelievably wellbred Miss Frankel lines up. This daughter of local champion Val De Ra and UK all-time great Frankel went off deep in the red on her Kenilworth debut in January, but faded tamely after showing pace. She surely must do a lot better here, but the miserly 7/10 available at the time of writing from World Sports Betting appears way too short. The best bet on the card presents itself in Race 4, where the filly Diamonds Forever should surely be too strong for the moderate rivals she meets in a poor looking Qualified Maiden Plate.