Brigtnumberten to shine
Jockey Donavan Mansour has been riding like a demon this season, if he isn’t in the winner’s box, he is in the places and this makes him a great jockey to follow.
He rides Penny Royal in Race 4, a FM 68 Handicap over 1200m today, and he could notch up a quick double.
Penny Royal was an impressive victor on debut when justifying 28-10 favouritism, defeating Sweaty Betty by 2.50-lengths on the Vaal Inside track. She appears above average and although making her handicap debut, she can upstage some useful rivals. She won with much in hand last time and can only get better. She is a banker in all bets!
This daughter of Captain Al was a R1.2-million purchase, and if her debut performance is any indication, she could prove better than her current merit rating of 74.
Penny Royal is also well in at the weights, carrying 59kg – 2.5kg less than her biggest danger, Microbe, a filly who is better than her last outing suggests. In her defence, this Devin Little-trained three-yearold seemed to find 1600m a touch too far.
The return to 1200m should suit, she was an impressive 4.10 length startto-finish winner over the trip one run back.
For Trifecta’s float the two with Fly North, Smackaroo, Goodness Me and Code Writer.
Ultra-consistent Brigtnumberten was only beaten 1.85-lengths into fourth place by Alfolk in his most recent effort, and all those who keep the faith can be rewarded with a decent pay-day when he lines up in Race 6, a MR 72 Handicap over 1000m.
He is a class horse and on recent form should have absolutely no trouble outrunning this field.
If the Exacta tickles your fancy then box him with the Erico Verdonese-trained Fidelio who does well at the course.
This five-year-old son of Argonaut hit the front early and couldn’t maintain the pace in a 1200 contest at the course last time.
The drop in trip, along with having Gavin Lerena in the irons, makes him a massive contender for top honours. Penny Royal could prove the safest bet on the card when she runs in Race 4 at the Vaal today. /