‘Ex’ elero to make his mark
WITH the Gr1 Champions Challenge and the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes on the horizon the Conditions Plate that makes up the opening leg of the Pick 6 at Turffontein tomorrow takes on even more significance with Western Cape raiders Captain America and Exelero warming up against some useful local opposition.
Cape trainers have taken on the challenge of the Highveld’s rarefied atmosphere with some success this season with both Vaughan Marshall and Mike Bass holding their own and Marshall breaking the ice with Exelero. Highly thought of early in his career, Exelero disappointed on a number of occasions and in desperation the vet was finally called in.
Two stone lighter, the operation coupled with blinkers appears to have brought the best out of Exelero who promptly won first up in Graduation company over tomorrow's course and distance, putting four lengths between himself and second placed Mr Mulliner. He is obviously well suited to the Turffontein inside track with his sharp turn of foot and looks a likely favourite.
Brett Crawford has followed his Cape colleagues in search of the lucrative Highveld pickings and his hopes rest with Captain America. Like Exelero, a string of disappointing showings prompted a visit from the vet for Captain America and his form also appears to have benefitted. He ran out a easy winner in handicap company in his first run back, lumping 64,5kg. He was also not short of friends in the market, backed in from an opening call of 3-1 to starts 18-10 favourite.
He is unlikely to be at his peak for this race with the Horse Chestnut in mind but a strong showing will not do his chances any harm.
Killua Castle was one of the multiple victims of the ridiculously slow early pace in the J&B Met and one can safely draw a line through that showing. The addition of blinkers to his raceday equipment has given him a new lease on racing although he could find tomorrow's trip a touch on the short side, given that the 2 000m Champions Challenge is likely to be on his agenda. Nevertheless he should be fit after being primed for the Met and can finish in the money.
Anton Marcus has been a little quiet since returning from injury but his pot could come to the boil this weekend. He can convert some good form to the winner’s enclosure at Greyville tonight and he also has promising rides at Kenilworth tomorrow where he is down primarily to ride former Golden Horse Sprint winner Normanz. After a spell with ‘horse whisperer’ Malan de Toit, a wellbehaved Normanz could prove difficult to beat, and then it’s back to Greyville for Sunday.
Marcus has three rides for Tony Rivalland to night, all three in with strong chances but his first visit to the winner's box could come in the first where he partners Clever Kate for Charles Laird. She finished runner-up to the highly rated Lala on debut and can go one better with the benefit of experience.
The first of his rides for Rivalland is Lucky Break in the fourth who is due a change of luck after a string of places. He has everything in his favour tonight and should be right there.
Kadeze, who races in the same vieux rose, cream and green silks of Mary Liley as Lucky Break, was backed in from 20-1 to 8-1 when tried in blinkers at Scottsville last time out but came up a half-length short behind Golden Mirabillis. With a plum inside draw on the poly she looks to be a big runner.
Marcus’s final ride for the evening comes in the seventh where he partners Al Ciberano for Rivalland. The gelding has a big weight but Marcus is a master at nursing front-runners home and in truth, Al Ciberano may just hold too much class for the opposition with all in his favour.
The Gavin van Zyl-trained Se Agabor lines up in the Listed Breeders Guineas at Fairview this afternoon. In consultation with Drakenstein racing manager Kevin Sommerville, it was decided to try for black type. According to Van Zyl, Se Agabor travelled well and is expected to be competitive racing in blinkers first time.