Muzi Yeni writes for us
IMPRESSIVE: MUZI ‘SUPER-IMPRESSED’ WITH LAIRD-TRAINED FILLY’S VICTORY ON DEBUT
Snaith’s Knights Templar looks best in Algoa Cup.
The friendly and windy city of Port Elizabeth plays host to a double dose of action this weekend, featuring the Algoa Cup over 2000m at Fairview tomorrow. There’s the usual barrage of Western Cape entrants who dominates the bookmaker boards but with one other interesting out-oftown visitor in KZN hopeful Tommy Grand from the Nathan Kotzen stable.
While I do have healthy respect for this quality conditioner, my gut feeling is that the bay gelding could find it tough against the 'Mother City' participants.
I've gone the predictable route of siding with a Western Cape visitor. Brett Crawford and Justin Snaith have dominated the past three Algoa Cups and they could again fight it out.
The Snaith pair of Knights Templar, who with Richard Fourie up must be the stable elect, and Platinum Prince also bring decent form into the race.
Last year’s East Cape Derby winner, American Landing, hasn't won since but has maintained his form after gelding and could make the province his happy hunting ground.
Run Red was fourth in this event last year but has his belated seasonal debut after a satisfactory KZN winter campaign and may struggle with top weight. Stablemate Crome Yellow has strong credentials.
The pick of red-hot trainer Glen Kotzen's pair is undoubtedly an improving Cat Daddy who looks ready for this steep rise in class.
My pick of the local hopefuls is former Cape resident Ollivander who finished runner-up in this race two years ago.
He is better than his moderate last two Polytrack runs and jumps from a good draw with a galloping mass.
As for my ride Story Of My Life, he has worryingly reported to be not striding out in his last two starts and has a dismal record from three attempts in this race. That said, the stable is in a rich vein of form and a top conditioner like Gavin Smith always deserves respect. I'll definitely give it my all.
I think Snaith-trained Knights Templar is the horse to beat but hopefully he runs better than his trainer, who has his leg in a cast and could be slow in getting to the winner’s enclosure.
Another competitive card awaits at Turffontein today with five handicaps and four plate races on the menu. But there is a massive Pick 6 pool of R6 million expected and hopefully we can catch a share of that.
Race 1 is a 1200m maiden where I expect further improvement from Eppagilia who produced the run of his short career despite racing wide over the course and distance in his comeback run earlier this month. Runner-up Bouncing Tigger has won since. Willo'Thewisp is the obvious danger. He debuted in the same event and stayed on to finish just over one length behind the top selection. Keep an eye on the Silvano first timer Spanish Boy who represents the Geoff Woodruff/Gavin Lerena combination.
Go eachway on Eppagilia.
Race 2 is a Maiden Plate for three-year-olds over 1600m and there are some useful sorts in this race and this form line should be worth following. Oyster King has formed a strong partnership with 4kg claiming apprentice Cole Dicken and the gelding has finally cracked a good draw.
Cairon is highly rated and he was over three lengths clear of the third-placed runner when second on debut.
I was impressed with Kool Baikal's smart progress over the track and trip last time but I have sided with GI Joe who has improved significantly with blinkers. Watch for a much improved performance from Tyrells Bullet.
Take Oyster King and Cairon for the BiPot and box all five in a
Quartet.
Race 3 is a FM 84 Handicap over 1600m and Fife will be fitter after her promising comeback run. She won her only start over this trip and receives a handy 4kg from likely favourite Eightfolds Lass who has obvious claims.
Evening Bell is arguably the only other entrant who could trouble the above pair despite returning from a 22-week rest.
Go each-way on Fife and add Eightfolds Lass for Place Accumulators and BiPots.
Race 4 is a MR 72 Handicap over 2000m. Festive Linngari caught my eye in an encouraging comeback run over much shorter and should be a real force over this distance. Highly rated Atomic Blonde disappointed when heavily backed on his handicap debut but that effort suggested he has more to offer, particularly over today's extra ground. Rocky Path had solid form before he took on stronger last time and he will prefer facing this company.
My ride, Mighty Valdie, has his second run for the yard and drops in class and ratings. He gave me the feel that he may enjoy this trip.
Take and each-way bet on Festive Linngari and add Atomic Blonde and Rocky Path into the BiPot, PA and Pick 6.
Race 5 is a Graduation Plate over 1450m and it could pay to side with the fairer sex. Gin Fizz was touched off late in a strong Grade 2 Joburg Spring F&M Challenge this month and is the best-weighted runner.
I'm happy to get the ride back on Green Top who I've excelled on in the past. She has lost some of her best form but has her peak run for an in-form yard. Urban Rock is fast improving and has good scope.
Box the trio for Swingers and Trifectas. Banker Gin Fizz in the PA but add the other two into the Pick 6.
The Sean Tarry yard holds all the aces in Race 6, MR 80 Handicap over 1450m, and from gate No 1 Riga D'Ora gets the nod ahead of stablemates African Rock and Pidgeon Rock. Movie Magic and Suspicious Minds should improve for Trifectas and Quartets and I give my ride, Gemcutter, a decent chance with her low mass and good draw.
Take the Tarry coupling and Gemcutter for the PA, BiPot and Pick 6.
Race 7 is a MR 96 Handicap over 1450m and Kings Archer is weighted to finish much closer to promising Culture Trip, who still deserves huge respect despite his draw. Flash Burn arguably prefers further but could be allowed to dictate his own terms. My ride, Lone Survivor, loves this track and should be doing some good late work. Recently gelded Sea Air is a worthy inclusion on best form.
Have a good each-way bet on Kings Archer and include Culture Trip, Flash Burn and Sea Air in the PA and Pick 6.
Race 8 is a FM 76 Handicap over 1450m. I was super-impressed with my ride, Marygold's, debut effort and even though runner-up Flower Season was comfortably beaten into second on Thursday, I believe she could be ahead of the handicapper. I'll be deputizing for Bling Khumalo who is riding in Cape Town.
I make the top weight Seattle Tango my immediate danger and she drops in class and thrives over this course and distance.
Go strong with Marygold! She is a PA banker but include Seattle Tango in the Pick 6.
Race 9, a FM 76 Handicap over 1000m, looks an open contest but Arikel finished strongly for second despite a poor start over this course and distance behind subsequent easy winner El Zara recently and Piere Strydom retains the ride.
Consistent Claremorris, Phillydelphia and Allmyloving have lively chances while my ride, Before The Dawn, is arguably better when she gets an apprentice claim. She has solid form though.
Go each-way on Arikel and add Claremorris, Before The Dawn, Phillydelphia and Allmyloving into the Pick 6.