Bling Khumalo has the Midas Touch
Maple Syrup can regain winning form tomorrow
It’s been 30 years since South African horse racing suffered a shocking tragedy: the Hennenman air disaster which resulted in 24 lives being cut short – 13 of whom were jockeys.
Turffontein will host its annual memorial meeting tomorrow, so bring the family to the course. We have a smashing card and, there appears to be tons of value, so do not miss out.
Not only is Exquisite Touch the best bet on the card, but for Pick 6 players – she is a worthy banker in the fourth leg – Race 7.
The jockey-trainer combination of S’manga Khumalo and Sean Tarry is back and, they’re winning races, much to the delight of punters – it could once again pay to follow.
They will be very hard to beat when Exquisite Touch lines up in this FM Pinnacle Stakes over 1000m on the Inside track.
Considering she was returning from a lengthy four-month lay-off, this Var filly was not disgraced in her latest effort, beaten a ‘whisker’ margin of 0.05 lengths into second by Tahini. She’ll be in fine fettle on Saturday – a loss is unlikely.
Prior to that defeat, Khumalo steered Exquisite Touch to a three-run winning streak. In fact, he’s ridden her to all five of her wins to date.
This four-year-old has much in her favour. This isn’t the strongest of fields, she tops the best weighted column and, considering she comes from off the pace, the No 6 draw in this nine-horse field shouldn’t be much of a disadvantage.
Keep an eye on the betting for Tarry’s expensive R1.1-million Trippi colt Chimichuri Run in Race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m – he could be anything!
There were valid excused for Maple Syrup’s disappointing performance in her last outing when beaten 6.50 lengths into sixth place by Pale Lilac in a 1600m contest.
Mike de Kock’s charge was reported as not striding out on that occasion and she hung in over the last 300m. If gets her head in the game, Maple Syrup can win Race 8, a FM 96 Divided Handicap over 1450m.
Only concern is riding arrangements suggest Dame Eleanor is the stable elect – Callan Murray rides.
Although Dame Eleanor has faced a lot stronger, she will have to shoulder 5.5kg more than Maple Syrup, a massive disadvantage.
In her favour is a top No 1 draw – perhaps a boxed Exacta featuring the stable companions is worth taking.