Dawn’s Calling but Delpech is the Prince

The KZN feature race season is in full swing and the stakes at Greyville will be high on Sunday.

Eight of the nine races carded will have a R200,000 price tag, and Race 8, the main event, the Kwazulu-Natal Breeders Million Mile (Non-Black Type), carries a R1-million stake.

And the combination of Anthony Delpech and trainer Ormond Ferraris could take home the big cheque with Romany Prince.

Romany Prince takes the trip down to Durban following a successful campaign in Johannesburg. This son of Kahal doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He’s won and run places in a number of feature races over the last couple of months. With each run he’s been backed, this could be a reflection of his true ability. He loves the 1600m trip and the Greyville shorter straight could suit him plus, he’ll appreciate the righthand turn he’s accustomed to in Johannesburg.

Much is in the favour of this four-year-old. He shoulders 59kg and will jump from a top draw which should only increase his chances. He was given every chance last time out when eased at the 300m mark, finishing 1.80 lengths in third behind Jiffy. He’ll be in fine fettle now so should run a big race.

Consistent but unlucky, this is what pops into mind when the name Dawn Calling is brought up. I have followed this filly and have lost quite a bit – at one point she finished second in four consecutive outings!

She might make amends should Romany Prince fumble. She is the best handicapped runner in the race and warrants respect from a No 7 draw. She will also shoulder a modest 50kg – that’s 9kg less than Romany Prince which will be a much needed advantage under the current conditions.

Trainer Duncan Howells put the blinkers on her last time and that seemed to have done the job. She ran a promising second and wasn’t disgraced finishing only 1.25 lengths behind Louisiana.