Vicky to strike again
CHOICE: PETTIGREW OPTS FOR 1200M ON TURFFONTEIN INSIDE TRACK
Early double to yield reward.
Trainer Stuart Pettigrew opted to pull Vars Vicky out of yesterday’s meeting at the Vaal and has preferred to run his charge in Race 8 on the Inside track at Turffontein tomorrow, a MR 102 over 1200m.
It does not come as a surprise. The Vaal race was up the straight over 1400m while tomorrow’s event is run around the turn, a track and trip over which Vars Vicky has won well.
The three-year-old gelding will jump from barrier No 1, which is like gold over this course and distance, and carries 56kg. Craig Zackey takes the ride and this son of Var looks the stand-out bet on the card.
Sean Tarry saddles four-yearold filly Spring Break, who looks the main threat to Vars Vicky. She won a Graduation Plate against the colts last time, beating
Thumbs Up by 0.80 lengths over this course and distance,
However, Pettigrew’s younger runner looks to have lots more room for improvement.
After a narrow defeat in Cape Town to classy Silvano’s Pride in the Listed Victress Stakes over 1800m at Kenilworth, Heart Stwings takes her place in Race 3, a Progress Plate over 1800m.
Trained by Paul Peter, this Mambo In Seattle filly is well weighted and a third victory looks on the cards. Her last start was in the Paddock Stakes over 1800m, also at Kenilworth, but although she well beaten, that was a Grade 1 race and was won by Queen Supreme.
Gavin Lerena rode her on that occasion, and he has picked up the ride again in Joburg.
The only concern is how she handled all the travelling, and if she is in need of a local run, it could be worth addingthe Dorrie Sham-trained Shivers into the BiPot and Place Accumulator.
Peter could kick off the meeting in style as he sends out Miss Venezuela in Race 1, a Work Riders Maiden Plate 1450m for fillies and mares. Phenisile Mongqawa takes the ride and the consistent filly, whose best performance was over this course and distance, can finally notch up her first victory.
It might be worth taking a double into Say When in Race 2, who also runs in a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1450m. Johan Janse van Vuuren’s charge has been knocking at the door and has finished second in all three of her starts.
The daughter of Silvano ran over 1160m last time and should enjoy the extra distance. This looks another good ride for Lerena.