Head Honcho looks to lead them home

Jack Milner

Head Honcho has not always been the easiest of rides but few will argue that Andre Nel’s charge is loaded with talent.

However, Keagan de Melo seems to have found the right formula and last time out the four-year-old gelding led all the way to win a MR 88 Handicap over 1950m at Scottsville. De Melo gets back aboard the son of Querari in the umThombothi Stakes (Non-Black Type) on Sunday over the same course and distance.

He has been priced up at 7-1 and that looks a most attractive price, especially as he comes into this race carrying just 54kg, 3kg less than last time. Obviously he is up in class but that should not stop Head Honcho from living up to his name.

Another runner who is unbeaten over the course and distance is Sun On Africa. Dennis Bosch’s charge is one of the most consistent runners in KwaZulu-Natal and is rarely out of the placings.

Top weight Celtic Captain is loaded with talent and is capable of winning a race of this nature. Mark Dixon is always a contender when his horses run at this course but he carries 61kg and will have concede between 5kg and 9.5kg to the balance of the field.

Red Chesnut Road has been priced up favourite but although highly rated still has to prove he will see out this sort of distance. On paper he is the best weighted runner by quite a long way but that rating was gained over sprint distance and his 98 rating might not be as affective over 1950m.