Muzi Yeni writes for us
IN FORM: DE KOCK STABLE CAN CONTINUE TO CHURN OUT WINNERS AT THE VAAL
Singforafa is hard to oppose in Listed Gardenia Stakes.
The gates at the Vaal racecourse open this morning for the cleverly named Tri Festivaal race meeting. The other celebration is that we finally return to the standard track after many months of racing on the Classic track.
As expected, the fields are big and that will bolster the exotic pools, particularly the Pick 6. There are two headline events on the card, the main being the Grade 3 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m, the final pointer to the Summer Cup, and the Listed Gardenia Stakes over 1000m.
The brilliant Soqrat will have his final preparation run before possibly taking his place in the Summer Cup on 30 November. The Mike de Kock entourage should continue their sensational form of last week and it will be remiss of me not to congratulate them for their fully deserved and outstanding day at Turffontein.
Now back to their Australianimport who, although conceding chunks of weight all around, is by some margin the best horse on show. The likely sedate gallop is sure to be set by the filly, Seville Orange, and will suit Soqrat’s impressive turn of foot. He had a smart seasonal debut triumph over stablemate Like A Panther and his excellent second to Rainbow Bridge in the Grade 1 Champions Cup over this trip proves his stamina.
Seville Orange is closest to the top selection in terms of not racing under sufferance and she could pose a real threat on her peak showing. She produced some high-quality front-running performances in both Oaks last term.
My ride, Green Haze, has always displayed talent but seems just below the best of his generation. That said, Alec Laird has got him to peak at the right time as he tries to stake a place in the Summer Cup.
His last win was workmanlike, even though he won comfortably, but I do expect him to be a totally different proposition on this galloping track. The lack of a strong tempo is a concern as he often jumps slowly but he stays on smartly and is in receipt of a whopping 11kgs from Soqrat. His work was really nice when I threw a leg over him recently.
KZN challenger Roy Had Enough also has his final run before the Summer Cup and he could profit from going handy.
You could banker Soqrat in all best but if you don’t feel comfortable add Green Haze and Roy Had Enough into your bets.
Race 1 is a Maiden Plate for work riders over 1200m where Single Red Rose and Malteza should fight out the finish, with the slight preference for the former.
Race 2 sees a maximum field of maiden fillies battle it out over 1000m. Masaaqaat has her niggles but her form before the 27-week layoff was solid and she should take a power of beating.
Capitiana had a smart debut for Geoff Woodruff and also returns from a break. That first form line has worked out well. Of the balance, Lady Scarletina put up a pleasing debut in mixed company, and watch for betting support on the first-timers.
Go strong on Masaaqaat.
Race 3 is an open maiden over 1400m. My ride, Rock Of Madeira, is improving, and though she wants further, she must be included in Trifectas and Quartets. I expect the Quartet of Crime Scene (fifth-placed runner Smiley River of last start has won since), Emerald Crest (fair debut behind subsequent winner Querari Ferrari), Holy Guacamole (should relish this trip) and Secret Dream (two solid sprints) to fight out the finish. Watch the betting on the unraced Snitzel mare, Tzaritza, a half-sister to Whisky Baron, from the De Kock yard.
Take an each-way bet on Holy Guacamole and go wide for the Place Accumulator and BiPot.
Race 4 sees another maximum field of maidens compete over 1400m and I fancy my ride, Tulip Way, who possibly just needed her comeback run over a distance that may have been a little too far for her right now.
Virtuosa has solid form and is the obvious danger while keep a close eye on the unraced halfsister to Skiminac, Lady Amherst, who represents the powerful Laird/S’manga Khumalo combination.
Have a strong bet on Tulip Way and only add Virtuosa into the Pick 6.
Race 5 is a high-quality Graduation Plate over 1200m and I think Sean Tarry-trained Ikigai will be tough to beat. Subsequent winners Promiseofamaster and Green Haze finished behind him last time out. I believe Irrevocable Dream, who I've ridden before, will be a different proposition after the gelding and my ride, Crown Guardian, returns to his best distance and deserves much respect. That said, he was comfortably beaten by Ikigai on the Astrix run but can finish closer over this distance.
True To Life has solid sprinting form on the Highveld and her last Grade 1 form line has worked out well.
Go strong on Ikigai but cover in the Pick 6 with the remaining trio.
Race 6 is a competitive MR 96 Handicap over 1200m where I ride Old Man Tyme who goes well for me and has no issues reverting to sprinting. State Trooper's last run must be ignored as he raced wide in stronger company and he is weighted to reverse the form with Double 'O' Eight on the penultimate run.
Premier Show is a worthy inclusion while How Does It Taste is rated by his stable, and his form before the long break was solid. There has been solid betting support for Oden who makes his South African debut after showing excellent sprint form in Zimbabwe.
Have an each-way bet on State Trooper but go wide in the Pick 6, including Old Man Tyme, Double 'O' Eight, Premier Show, Oden and How Does It Taste.
Race 7 is the Listed Gardenia Stakes over 1000m. My top bet on the day is speedy Singforafa who bludgeoned male rivals over this trip a fortnight ago and she'll have no problem stepping up in class.
I have healthy respect for Tarry-trained Green Plains, who is the best-weighted runner. Although better over 1200m, she does race fresh, which is crucial. Striker always seems to get the best out of Winter Watch and I expect a much-improved run from the mare who could be an excellent place bet.
My ride, Dalai's Promise, notched up a hat-trick with me late last season and her second behind feature winner Prince Of Kahal stands out. Her last run was disappointing but the break would have served her well and she has a Trifecta chance.
Banker Singforafa in everything. Take Swingers, Trifectas and Quartets with her, Green Plains, Winter Watch and Dalai's Promise.
Race 9, a FM 84 Handicap over 2000m, is arguably the toughest race on the card but I expect a solid performance from my ride, Jacko Boy, despite having much to do at the weights. That said, my first selection is Rabia The Rebel who thrives at this venue and she takes a huge drop in class. Others to consider are Jolly Josephine, Jive Express, Emily Hobhouse, Circle Of Latitude and Always Red.
Have an each-way bet on Rabia The Rebel and go wide in the exotics.
Race 10 is a FM 68 Handicap over 2000m. I have made Itsmydarlin, who had legitimate excuses for her below par last run behind Passion Peach (2.5kg worse off), my value bet. She is drawn best of all over this ideal distance. It is worth noting 12th-placed entrant in her last start, Crystal Stream, triumphed before losing her next start in the boardroom a mere two days ago.
Passion Peach is the obvious threat.
My ride, Maddox Tune, is crying out for this trip but is possibly too close in the weights to the hardknocking older handicappers.
Have a solid each-way bet on Itsmydarlin.