La Moohal to swim home
HE HAS IMPROVED IN BLINKERS AND CAN RISE TO THE OCCASION
Dubai World Cup adds impetus to Turffontein meeting.
Racing fans are in for a huge treat on Saturday as not only is there a nine-race card at Turffontein but the world’s richest meeting, the Dubai World Cup will feature prominently on the day.
The nine-race card comprises some of the best horses in the world and the meeting culminates with the $12-million Dubai World Cup over 2000m on the dirt.
It is a Hong Kong World Pool meeting so South African punters will be able to bet into massive pools with TAB.
Racing at Turffontein is on the Inside track and while there are no feature races – all that will be happening the following week with Champions Day – we will be treated to an interesting nine-race card which is headed up by two Middle Stakes, one over 1700m and the other over 1200m.
Pyromaniac will be a popular choice to win Race 6 over 1700m. Sean Tarry and Gavin Lerena join forces and this five-year-old son of Silvano is undoubtedly the runner to beat.
However, he could be put under pressure by Mike de Kock-trained La Moohal, who is getting better with each start.
He looked pretty ordinary at the start of his career but once fitted with blinkers the three-yearold Vercingetorix gelding took on a whole new persona.
La Moohal looked particularly impressive when romping to a three-length victory over Laughing William. He will be tested in this field but De Kock is known for throwing his runners into the deep end to get a genuine understanding of their ability.
Apprentice Malesela Katjedi takes the ride for the first time.
Progressive Mid Winter Wind represents the formidable Richard Fourie and Tarry combination in Race 8 over 1200m, the other Middle Stakes on the card, and is good value to extend his winning streak for owner-breeder Gaynor Rupert's Drakenstein Stud.
This What A Winter gelding out of Grade 1 winner Lady In Black (by Dynasty) has - like the aforementioned Theres A Light - improved appreciably in his four starts as a gelding. He finished second over 1400m in his first start after being 'cut' and confirmed that progress by winning over 1200m and 1160m before completing his hattrick under a three-point penalty with a 1400m success under Fourie five weeks ago.
With scope for further improvement from the lightly raced three-year-old, a further fourpoint rise is unlikely to prevent Mid Winter Wind from winning again and starting from a favourable No 1 stall also aids his cause.
A merit rating drop and an equipment change has brought about a change in fortune for Weichong Marwing inmate Run For Cover, who forms half of a strong stable coupling in Race 9, a MR 72 Handicap over 1450m.
This Erupt gelding finished a staying-on third over 1200m at this venue three starts back with blinkers fitted for the first time and confirmed that improvement by winning over 1450m at his next start, before maintaining his form and consistency under a resultant penalty with a creditable fourth over 1600m on 14 March.
A return to 1450m with Fourie booked for the ride bodes well for his chances.