Nero back on sand

UNBEATEN: VAN ZYL’S CHARGE CAN KEEP SAND RECORD INTACT

De Kock filly looks the danger.

It appears some racehorses are like a good red wine, they improve with age. That seems to be the case with Nero, who looked quite moderate in his first few starts and only managed to capitalise on a work riders’ race in order to shed his maiden.

It was his fifth outing. Nero went off at 14-1 and beat Pavor Nocturnus, a horse who was retired after eight starts, by a neck. In his next 14 starts the Gavin van Zyl-trained runner managed to place six times and looked to be going nowhere.

Then young Chesney van Zyl, who operates the satellite yard for his dad on the Highveld, put the Modus Vivendi gelding on the Vaal sand and the change was instant.

Ridden by apprentice Craig Zackey Nero notched up two successive facile victories over 1600m in May and July last year.

He was then off the track for six months and returned in January to run in a MR 72 Handicap over 1160m at Turffontein.

The distance is way too short but he did well to finish 5.80 lengths behind Silence Descends.

His second start came in a MR 74 Handicap over 1600m on the Turffontein inside track and despite jumping from No 12 draw, Nero managed to finish second to Prince Of Orange.

Although beaten 4.75 lengths by the Roy Magner-trained threeyear-old it was a good effort asPrince Of Orange looks well above average and has placed in feature races.

Tomorrow Nero returns to the sand to contest Race 5, a MR 80 Handicap over 1600m and he should be perfectly primed to make it three wins from three runs on the surface.

He is nicely drawn at No 6, and will have the services of Gavin Lerena. Biggest threat is likely to come from the Mike de Kocktrained Ahlaam.

Although a filly taking on the colts, she did run a decent race over 1800m at the track last time against the boys when finishing third behind stable companion Smart Mart,

She was in touch with the leaders going through the 400m mark but found little late in the race.

Ahlaam is likely to be better over 200m shorter.

What will help her is she jumps from No 1 draw and will have Johnny Geroudis on her back.

The Royal Rumba makes his sand debut and if he takes to the surface, could be a factor.

He is well drawn at No 3 and has apprentice Wesley Marwing up and will get 1.5kg off his back.