Wild Wicket to spin his magic
WITH a furlong to run in the Michael Roberts Handicap, the stipendiary stewards were probably heading for the boardroom door to collar Marco van Rensburg before his feet even touched the ground on his return to the paddock.
Doing a startlingly good impression of a shop window mannequin on a racehorse, Van Rensburg was viewing the backsides of the opposition on the fancied Duncan Howells-trained Wild Wicket.
Even the trainer was panicking – had his rider lost his mind? The stipes will ‘pinch’ me as well!
But Van Rensburg either has ice water running through his veins or is a tremendous judge of what he has under him, much to the collective relief of all concerned.
With barely a flick of the reins, Wild Wicket picked up his gallop in an instant and roared through to win going away in a remarkable display by horse and rider.
That was then, Sunday is two days away, and Wild Wicket takes his place in the Gr3 Kings Cup, a stepping stone into the Vodacom Durban July.
Howells has earmarked Wild Wicket as a possible for the July and victory on Sunday will go some way to strengthening the gelding’s chances of making the final field although victory and the July.
Van Rensburg is back in the saddle on Sunday against many of the horses he beat last time out.
The shorter Greyville straight should hold no fears as he has shown a remarkable turn of foot and with only 54kg to shoulder he should get in a blow. it’s no ‘given’ –
Redcarpet Captain seldom runs a bad race and Mark Dixon’s gelding was less than a length behind Hong Kong-bound Monks Hood at his last start.
However, the winning margin was flattering as Monks Hood cruised to the front hard-held.
Given his head the margin could have been five or six lengths.
Stable companion Celtic Captain met progressive three-year-old Roy Had Enough over the Greyville mile last time out and it was only in the dying strides that ‘Roy’ got the upper hand.
Just how Celtic Captain shapes up here could provide a valuable key to both Roy Had Enough’s chances in the SA Classic and Wild Wicket’s future.
Wild Wicket faces a hard-knocking field but a reproduction of his last run could have hearts beating fast again but should be enough to see him home.
Haddington steps up over a more suitable trip in the first leg of the PA and should prove a safe exotic bet banker.
He only got going late when beaten by Toltec last time out and the extra 300m will be in his favour.
Garth Puller could hold the key to the Sports Betting Maiden plate, first leg of the Pick 6, with two runners, It’s My Turn and Los Barbados.
Both step up to a more suitable trip after showing up well in their pipeopeners but Los Barbados has had many chances and the younger It’s My Turn should have more scope for improvement.
The Air Products Handicap is a mine field but Whiteleaf Hills, who came from the clouds to shed his maiden, should prove better than his last run when taking a major step up in class and being ridden by an inexperienced apprentice.
Down in class and Callan Murray aboard could be enough to see him home in a very tricky contest.
The Howells stable appears to have turned the corner after battling a virus and Miziara can get his ball rolling in the Morris Vee Sports Bet handicap. She is seldom out of the money and appeared just in need of her last start behind Ideal Winter.