Form points to Romi’s Boy
THE Alec Laird-trained speedster Romi’s Boy returns from a lay-off tomorrow, but that should not stop him from going close in the Grade 3 Spring Spree Stakes over 1 200m on the Turffontein Inside track.
The Querari gelding has only run once over this course and distance and dominated the race, beating the fair sort Doosra by over five lengths.
From a good draw of five, he will be a tough nut to crack as he will only be getting stronger.
As a sprinter the layoff since June 10, where he was cut into when running a 1,6 length fourth to the classy sprinter Sommerlied over 1 100m at Greyville, should not detract too much from his winning chances.
Angel’s Power is course and distance suited and is better drawn than a lot of the other chief contenders.
His last run over 1 000m at this track can be ignored as he was hopelessly trapped in a pocket. He is 4kg better off with Romi’s Boy for a 1,9 length beating over 1 200m at the Vaal, which puts them just about together. Will Pays was surging late over 1 160m last time when losing to Pure Blonde by 0,7 lengths and to Captain Aldo by a head.
He is now 1kg better off with Pure Blonde, faces Captain Aldo on the same terms and is drawn in pole position.
Spring Steel beat Pure Blonde by 1,4 lengths over 1 160m in June and is now 0,5kg better off, so has a chance from a good draw. Maximizer comes off an easy win in the Listed Darley Arabian over 1 600m on the Greyville Poly.
He has never run in a sprint before, but is a strong horse with some pace and Keagan de Melo stays aboard from a fair draw.
Sporting Monarch has pace and a fair draw, but the handicapper might have his measure. Amazing Strike is weighted to comfortably beat stablemate Romi’s Boy on their last meeting, but he has a tricky draw, particularly considering he likes to be within striking distance.
Captain Aldo
Captain Aldo is consistent from sprints up to 1 400m and S’Manga Khumalo has been doing well for trainer St. John Gray lately. However, the wide draw will make it tough for this handy sort.
Pure Blonde outpaced the field over course and distance in his penultimate start, but must now do it from the widest draw of all. The classy Champagne Haze jumps has a fine turn of foot, so will likely be dropped out from a wide draw before running on. However, making up the ground carrying 63kg won’t be easy. Classify is an in form raider from Port Elizabeth, but this is a lot stronger and he might find 1200 ma touch sharp.
Finchatton makes little appeal on current form and the trip will likely be too sharp.
Earlier, Secret Star could defy topweight in the Non-Black Type For The Ladies Stakes over 1 200m.
She has speed and a telling kick and the rider who brings the best out of her, Piere Strydom, is back aboard. She has a fair draw too.
My funny valentine proved her Cape Town form was all wrong last time out when returning from a long layoff.
She has won over course and distance before and has the pole position draw. Spring Wonder is 5kg better off with My funny valentine, despite beating her by 0,3 lengths.
However, she will have to bounce back from her last start where she was not persevered with. She was found to be not striding out on one front leg and had abrasions from the starting stalls on one of her hind legs.