Monks Hood to put one over his rivals
THE Guineas meeting is one of the highlights of the Johannesburg season as it begins sorting out the wheat from the chaff in the Highveld three-year-old division, although a KZN horse might upset the applecart in the colts and gelding version of the race at Turffontein Standside tomorrow.
The Alistair Gordon-trained Monks Hood is better drawn in the Grade 2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas than he was when winning the Investec Dingaans over the same course and distance. He was dropped out that day from a tricky draw and was swung outward for a run at the top of the straight. He should be closer to the pace turning for home this time and should be able to afford to take cover for some of the straight.
The unbeaten Majestic Mambo would prefer further, but does relax well at the back and has a devastating turn of foot, so his status as favourite is justifiable. Surcharge is top class and builds up into a powerful finish so is ideally course suited. He will also relish the step up to this trip, but his lack of gatespeed and early pace is a concern. Royal Crusade also has plenty of class, but does have 2,25 lengths to make up on Majestic Mambo.
However, that was over 1 800m and he now gets blinkers on and is drawn in pole. Noble Secret is a relatively unexposed horse who looks to be full of class and on the evidence of his last start he will relish the galloping nature of this course and its long straight. Ideal Secret is ideally course and distance suited and his draw of eight should allow him to find cover.
He has to be waited with for a bit and then produces a fine turn of foot, so he is capable of an upset.
The six mentioned stand out. Pietro Mascagni found 1 400m too sharp last time and should be running on. Greek Fire has a fine draw and has his third run after a layoff over a suitable trip.
Big Bear has the class to be a contender, but he might need it after having to have a testicle removed which was troubling him. He also has a wide draw to overcome.
Vacquero has a strong finish and was a close up third in the Dingaans, but that was from a plum draw, while he is now widely drawn.
Wonderwall
Wonderwall has proven class but probably prefers 1 400m. Puget Sound has a good draw but has a lot to find on previous meetings with some of these.
Cash Time, Silver God and Alssakhra look outgunned.
The Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas is not as strong and the two most fancied horses, Fish River and Folk Dance, stand out.
However, their respective wide draws are a concern as they have both been seen to take a strong hold in past races.
Fish River did respond well last time when asked to switch off in the Grade 3 Three Troikas over 1 400m and this progressive sort finished that race off very well. It suggests she will get the 1600m. Folk Dance over- raced for a few strides from a good draw when winning the Grade 3 Fillies Mile easily. She now has a wide draw so it will not be easy for Gavin Lerena to restrain her. However, if she does find cover she will go close. Silver Thursday could pick up the pieces if the top two fluff their lines as she will relish this galloping track with its long straight, although she would prefer a touch further.
The unbeaten Radiant Splendour is the unknown quantity and could be anything as she doddled a Novice handicap over 1 400m last time, albeit off only a 77 merit rating. Rockin Russian performed below par in Cape Town but the overall class of horse she faced was out of the top drawer.
She should not be written off as there is little wrong with her pervious form and she has a plum draw. Aurelia Cotta is an honest sort who will be running on so.
Pearl Of Bahrain is a nice looking unexposed sort, who will be improving. The same can be said of Awfaa. Takingthepeace has a long stride and will appreciate the step up in trip. The other three can’t be fancied.