You can bank on Huyssteen
TURFFONTEIN Inside stages a low key eight race card on tomorrow’s public holiday and it is headed by a MR 96 Handicap over 1200m where the top weight Just As I Said is selected in a competitive field.
This Just As Well gelding was up with the pace throughout last time in the Grade 2 Senor Santa Handicap over 1160m and finished 1,85 lengths back despite having a difficult task being at the bottom of one of the merit rated bands.
On paper he now has an easier task in a handicap and in his only start over this course and distance finished second from draw six out of seven and is now drawn six out of 12.
Professor Brian’s chances were compromised in the Senor Santa as he was squeezed out shortly after the start. He now has his third run on the Highveld.
This horse can turn it on so should be suited to this tight track from a fair draw over an ideal trip.
Marmook is another horse who can turn it on and he has a plum draw and a low weight. He gave the impression last time he would appreciate this step up in trip, but he was unfortunately still a reserve runner at time of going to press.
Golden Man rarely runs a bad race and in the Senor Santa had excuses as he was considerably under sufferance and was scalped. He now has a good draw over a course and distance which suits his late charging style.
Snow Boarding has some top fine form over 1160m but has not raced since last September.
He has been gelded since and being a sprinter could get away with it. Alileo has won twice in three starts over this course and distance.
It will be tough against the boys but on recent evidence she will appreciate the step back in trip.
Whorly Whorly
Whorly Whorly has a plum draw and he might enjoy this course as one who sometimes loses touch in the middle part of races before staying on at the end.
The best bet in the card could be the rangy type Huyssteen in the fifth race over 1600m.
This Australian-bred by Hard Spun has always been well regarded by the Lucky Houdalakis yard, whose runners are brought on slowly but surely.
Last time out he ran on well for third from a wide draw over 1500m and he now looks cherryripe to deliver over a trip he should relish from a fair draw.
Helios looks a promising sort and could give some cheek and Polar Ice can’t be ignored from a good draw over a suitable trip as he has not been disgraced recently against some useful sorts.
However, a banker has to be found somewhere and Huyssteen is given that accolade.
The meeting begins with a workrider’s maiden over 2000m and Nuntius Oratorion looks the one to beat.
This Oratorio colt is big and scopey and after being caught flat footed over 1500m last time he stayed on well at the end so should enjoy this step up in trip.
The back ups look to be Bosphorous, who has improved with blinkers but has to prove he stays the strip, and the front-runner Festive Linngari, who does stay the trip.
In the second race Arikel made a fair debut when running third over 1000m on the Vaal Inside course at long odds and she is drawn well in this 1000m Maiden for fillies.
Fararanga has pace and over this 1000m could give cheek from a plum draw of two.Red Tara should be staying on from a wide draw.
In the third over 1600m the twoyear-old Fort Wood filly Awayinthewoods, a half-sister to twice Grade 1-placed Kilcoy Castle, could beat a field of uninspiring older fillies as she has run well in two sprints and should enjoy the step up in trip.
The main danger could be the Mike Azzie-trained Australianbred first-timer Stormborne Thunder.
This three-year-old colt is by Golden Slipper winner Stratum, who was leading sire of two-yearolds in Australia in 2009/2010, out of a Royal Academy mare who is a half-sister to a Listed winner over 1100m and who is from the same family as the like of Parade Leader.
Ghost Rider
The fourth race over 1600m is a tricky maiden in which Mogok’s Time, Ghost Rider, Candela, Mr Cuddles and Tommy The Builder should fight it out.
In the sixth Highway Eightfive steps back to his favourite trip but it’s a tough race.
The last is a typical stayers handicap and as many as possible should be included although Sabastian is the selection despite being 1,5kg under sufferance on official merit ratings.