Winter Blues to shine at Greyville
Banker Illuminate in everything
Trainer Louis Goosen sends out a two-pronged attack in Race 3, a MR 80 Handicap over 1000m on the Polytrack today – Winter Blues and Yaas.
The pair are on the upgrade and, are likely to get us through the first leg of the Pick 6 – which promises to pay bombs, so get on!
If form is any indication, Winter Blues could be headed for feature races in the not too distant future.
This three-year-old son of What A Winter is going for his fourth victory in a row – most impressive about this feat is, he has won all three by the same margin, 0.25 lengths.
“He is a small little horse with a phenomenal action. A lot of ability and, he is progressive,” said jockey Gunter Wrogemann who retains the ride.
Winter Blues appears better than his merit rating of 86. He is likely to maintain his unblemished record in KwaZulu-Natal –aided by an advantageous No 3 draw.
The only chink in his armour is the heavy 60.5kg on his back, 4kg less than Yaas. Yaas has an inspiring course and distance record having run four times for a third, a second and a win.
For Quartets, float the pair with the small nine-horse field.
Dennis Drier saddles Pick 6 banker material Illuminate in Race 5, a FM Maiden Plate over 1800m. She showed a liking for further in her latest effort when beaten 2.25 lengths into second by Destiny Duchess at Scottsville.
Illuminate tops the best-weighted column, however, will have to overcome the widest draw of all – her only disadvantage.
Drier has decided to fit blinkers on the three-year-old daughter of Brave Tin Soldier so, expect massive improvement.
Anton Marcus’s rich vein of form is set to continue when he teams up with Champenois in Race 7, a FM 84 Handicap over 1400m.
This daughter of Visionaire produced an eye-catching performance in her last outing, defeating Call Me Winter by an extending 0.50 lengths despite returning from a four-month stint off the racetrack.
She has a wide No 7 draw to contend with as opposed to Royal Agree’s advantageous No 1. Although Royal Agree has won over 1400m, she doesn’t have an inspiring record at the course.