World Radar’s ready to take on the big girls
Bonginkosi Nkosi
Long before World Radar set her hooves on a racetrack, Alan Greeff, told anyone willing to listen that he believed she was a topclass thoroughbred.
To the conditioner’s relief, this daughter of Soft Falling Rain has more than lived up to those expectations, winning her first two appearances by a combined 10 lengths.
“She is really as good as we think she is,” assured Greeff.
It appears punters share this sentiment because at the time of writing, World Radar, had been backed up to 28-10 favourite to win Saturday’s Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship over 1400m at Kenilworth.
Although the betting tells a different story, this three-year-old faces thoroughbreds who have been tested at Grade 1 and 2 level so technically, she is taking a massive step up in class and her conditioner concurs.
“Look it’s go big or go home time. She is doing very well, and I have been happy with her work at home.
“She has honestly done nothing wrong and the step up to 1400m doesn’t worry me at all, she will stay the distance. She is well drawn (No 5) and the team is going into this race pretty confident – she has big chance.”
Greeff confirmed World Radar will travel to Cape Town later in the week.
Should she come out of this R350 000 contest with her unbeaten record intact, then maybe all the people who have called her a future champion are right, right?
“People talk but I don’t feel any pressure to be honest. We just keep working and let her prove herself,” said Greeff.
“Aldo (Domeyer) will not be riding her in this race. Greg (Cheyne) will stay on. He knows the horse well and has ridden her in both starts.”
What surprised most about World Radar was the fact she was given a mammoth 105 merit rating – which she’s maintained – following her debut 6.75-length triumph over 1200m at Fairview.
There are a lot of people who feel she hasn’t beat much in both starts so hasn’t really earned the figure. Greeff’s rebuttal to all those sceptics is simple.
“On Saturday we will all find out if it (rating) is too high. Everyone will find out how good she really is on Saturday.”
Where World Radar will run next is uncertain, but should she win, one can’t help but believe the trainer will go the Guineas route with her.
Surprisingly, Greeff – the 2018/19 Port Elizabeth champion trainer – does not have a runner in Sunday’s Listed Algoa Cup over 2000m.
He does, however, saddle runners in the mini-features on Friday afternoon and was kind enough to give comments for his two runners in the Listed Racing
Association Stakes over 1600m on the Turf track.
“Luna Wish was actually nominated for the Fillies race in Cape Town but drew badly and we were forced to pull her out,” revealed Greeff.
“She ran on nicely from the tailend of the field last time out and that was her first run after some time off. She has a chance.”
It appears Foreign Source – going for a fourth consecutive triumph – is the stable elect as stable jockey Cheyne has opted to ride.
Speaking of that runner, he said: “He is doing very well at home and I think he will love the mile (1600m).”
To take a bet, go to www.bettingworld.co.za or www.tabonline.co.za