Dan is best in open race
CHEMISTRY: KHUMALO HAS AN EXCELLENT RAPPORT WITH DAN THE LAD
Highly regarded MK’s Pride looks a banker in Race 6.
There was a lot to like about Dan The Lad’s run last Saturday when finishing second behind Zouaves, beaten 1.40-length. Paul Matchett’s charge faced some strong opposition in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track but did have the benefit of carrying just 46kg thanks to Philasande Mxoli’s 4kg apprentice claim.
He returns to that course and distance tomorrow when he runs in Race 6, a MR 101 Handicap, and although he will not have that extra 4kg coming off his back, he will have the benefit of having former champion jockey S’manga Khumalo in the irons.
Khumalo rode Dan The Lad in his penultimate start when a 1.50-length third behind Certifiable, also over this track and trip.
In fact, Khumalo has an excellent record on this seven-year-old Dan De Lago gelding, having ridden him five times for two wins and three places.
One runner who could be a threat is Stuart Pettigrew’s charge Soldier On. This time Mxoli will take 4kg off his carded weight which means he will carry just 57.5kg.
The one concern is that Soldier On does not always run his best races at this course and has yet to place over this course and distance. He has had one win at this course and that was over 1475m where, ironically, he beat Dan The Lad by a short head.
He did give Dan The Lad 4.5kg on that occasion and this time, thanks to the claim, that has been reduced to 3kg.
Clever Guy is underrated and has not been performing badly since trainer Stephen Moffatt has started putting the gelding over slightly longer distances. He should be in the mix.
Alec Laird saddles Creation who has suddenly produced his best form and must be respected. He does take a jump in class but did win his last race over this course and distance.
Kings Archer, stable companion to Soldier On, will be shouldering his lightest weight in ages. With apprentice Cole Dicken claiming 2.5kg this nine-year-old will carry just 49.5kg. He is coming right at the right time and will be competitive.
Best bet on the card could be MK’s Pride in Race 6, a MR 82 Handicap, also over 1450m. Trainer Paul Peter has a very high regard for this son of Willow Magic and is expecting big things this season from the three-year-old.
MK’s Pride has only raced twice, winning on debut, and then went to Greyville to compete in the Grade 2 The Gatecrasher over 1200m. He lagged at the back of the field, all at sea, but still managed to produce the fastest 400m to finish, despite running unplaced behind Erik The Red.
Warren Kennedy gets the ride and they are nicely drawn at No 3.
He will be tested against some battle-hardened older horses but that has been reduced by one with the late scratching of Mohican.