Spanish Boy no pushover for young filly

Despite concern about the Vaal track, racing is still scheduled for the Free State course on Thursday and features an intriguing clash between a talented threeyear-old filly and a four-year-old seeking a hat-trick.

The start of racing was delayed on Tuesday as trainers and jockeys expressed their concern regarding the state of the track and whether it was safe. A decision was made to proceed, though trainers were allowed to withdraw their horses if they wished.

In the fifth race, Winter

Smoke, fourth in last season’s grade 1 Allan Robertson at Scottsville, is likely to start favourite provided trainer Ashley Fortune considers her young filly is not risking injury.

However, it is no easy task for a three-year-old filly to beat a four-year-old at this early stage of the season and even harder to concede that rival weight.

Spanish Boy, trained by Lucky Houdalakis, is that fouryear-old, and the son of Silvano may well be up to the task of completing a hat-trick for owner David Shawe.

Houdalakis also saddles recent winner Galactic Warrior, but even with Philasande

Mxoli ’ s 4kg claim it is difficult to see him beating his stable companion.

Winter Smoke’s stablemate Captain Hindsight also has an apprentice claiming 2.5kg, but a place cheque is the best the four-year-old can expect in this line-up.

Apprentice Nathan Klink will be happy with his tally of 33 winners from 375 rides last season, but the 22-year-old has found it tougher to get winning chances this term.

Nevertheless, he has a bright chance of taking top honours in Thursday ’ s fourth race in which he rides Mr Hugo for former Zimbabwe champion trainer

Gokhan Terzi. Mr Hugo was only given a three-point penalty for his recent win. The son of Var should be around the same price on Thursday as his rivals include Bridge Of Spies, Marengo and On A High Note.

On A High Note looks a promising sort as he won on debut in the hands of Anton Marcus. The son of Oratorio will be ridden by apprentice Luke Ferraris for his second start.

Ferraris also has a good chance of capturing the seventh race on Sean Tarry’s five-yearold Ice Lord. The son of Skitt Skizzle has only contested five races but they have yielded two wins and two placings.

Selections

3rd Race: (1) The Fifth Wave (5) Laetitia ’ s Angel (6) Soul Of Wit (4) Makara

4th: (7) Mr Hugo (4) Bridge Of Spies (6) On A High Note (1) Marengo

5th: (7) Spanish Boy (3) Winter Smoke (4) Galactic Warrior (6) Ring Of Fire

6th: (2) Dance Class (3) Gold Griffin (1) Odd Rob (6) Capt Chorus

7th: (3) Ice Lord (6) Major Return (1) Etched In Blue (4) Tiger’s Rock

8th: (7) Nafoorah (8) Lord Melbourne (1) Heart Stwings (5) African Adventure

9th: (5) In For A Penny (12) Sun Giant (3) Fifth Of July (7) Ancient Rome