Buffalo Soldier can come marching home
Apersistent virus that affected most yards in Ashburton saw Duncan Howells shut up shop for a fortnight and take stock. He saddles three runners at Greyville this evening and has a chance of getting back on track.
“The break has done the horses good and I have also tweaked a few things so hopefully we will soon be back on track,” he said yesterday.
Howells saddles two ex-Charles Laird runners in Good To Give and Buffalo Soldier, both in with chances, but his best chance of a winner could come with the filly Accidental Tourist in the sixth.
She loves the poly and although shouldering top weight she has yet to miss a cheque since July last year.
Louis Goosen has also been affected by the virus but has kept firing and Shwanky could prove the biggest threat to the top weight.
Paul Gadsby has been hounding the handicappers for months as far as the rating of Miss Varlicious is concerned and his nagging has had some effect as Miss Varlicious now races off a 72 rating, 17 points lower than November last year, but she still has not made it to the winner’s box again.
She had no chance with the impressive Statute last time out but now looks to be competitive off her new rating.
Good To Give
Good To Give has had one outing since a break and makes her debut for Howells in the fifth.
She takes on males but was finishing strongly in her last start over course and distance and with a handy galloping weight should be competitive.
Brian Burnard, had he been at Scottsville on Wednesday would have twice visited the winner’s enclosure, will be anticipating another winner when the unbeaten Sir Bernadini lines up in the seventh.
Dennis Bosch’s charge made the jump from maiden win to a MR76, both wins coming on the poly and the Aussie-bred looks to be useful.
Howells saddles Buffalo Soldier and the change of scenery could bring out the best in the gelding who has threatened in smart company yet remains a two-time winner.
He drops in class this evening and from a good draw rates the biggest threat to Sir Bernadini.
After a relatively quiet spell, Sean Tarry is starting to fire again and Esstoora can make a winning local debut in the card opener.
The lightly raced filly has shown up well in two starts on the Vaal inside track and could prove too strong for Rosie Bubbles and So Vain.
Great Dictator
In the second, Great Dictator gets another chance to shed his maiden after running up a hat-trick of second placings.
The blinkers did not seem to have any effect in his last start over course and distance and they have been removed.
Apprentice Ashton Arries should be back in action after his three-timer last Wednesday was spoilt when parting company with Dancing With Tatum in the last race of the day.