The Citizen (Gauteng)

Smart’s Alpha speedball could power punters to victory

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– Alpha Delphini can make the most of having his sights lowered by claiming a third victory at Beverley today in the Eddie And Violet Smith Conditions Stakes.

Bryan Smart’s speedball shed his maiden tag on the Westwood a couple of years ago and produced what was comfortabl­y a career-best performanc­e at the time when landing the Beverley Bullet last summer.

He has unsurprisi­ngly found life a little tougher since, locking horns with some of the best sprinters around on several occasions.

This six-year-old was last seen defending his Beverley

London

Bullet crown and was far from disgraced in finishing seventh beaten just a couple of lengths by subsequent Group 3 winner Take Cover.

Alpha Delphini is more favourably positioned in stall three for this six-runner contest and is well treated by the conditions of the race.

Kohinur is Newmarket-based trainer Hugo Palmer’s only runner on the card and the hint should be taken. In fact she, as an all-to-come bet with best bet of the card, Alpha Delphini could be the best way to go.

She was beaten 0,5 lengths into second on her racecourse debut on the July Course and the form is solid with third (Gold Star), fourth (Ouja) and sixth (Turnpike Trip) all winning since.

Kohinur met Ouja again at Kempton in August and was a warm order to confirm her superiorit­y, but was ultimately well-beaten in third. Back on turf in testing conditions, the Beverley Interactiv­e Maiden Fillies’ Stakes is likely to be more attritiona­l, which should suit a filly who looks to have more staying power than speed.

Unified rates the best bet on the Polytrack at Lingfield. Clive Cox’s filly was runner-up here on her introducti­on and after further efforts at Newbury and Windsor, struck gold for the first time with a narrow success on fast ground at Bath.

With soft ground prevailing in most parts of the country, it is no surprise to see her revert to an artificial surface for the Happy 80th Birthday Eddie Childs Handicap and an opening mark of 74 looks fair.

Marchingon­together can rediscover the winning trail in the Bet Totejackpo­t At Betfred. com Novice Auction Stakes at Chelmsford.

Ivan Furtado’s juvenile created a deep impression when making a successful debut at Leicester in May, prompting powerhouse owners Qatar Racing to snap her up prior to Royal Ascot.

The Windsor Castle Stakes proved too much too soon, but she has been given plenty of time since and can hopefully start to repay what was doubtless a significan­t investment from Sheikh Fahad’s team. –

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