Sand And Sea to show his mettle
SAND AND SEA is a magnificent specimen of a thoroughbred and as a two-year-old his looks were underlined by his ability, winning the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion.
But it has been a long road since, Sand And Sea’s last win coming a year ago at Kenilworth for only his third victory.
Dennis Drier has not been afraid of pitting him against the some of the best sprinters around and the gelding has run well enough with the handicappers seemingly reluctant to give him some relief.
From a merit rating high of 110 in April 2018, he races off a mark of 102 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today.
The anomaly is that he is now two points higher than his original 110 and is now rated 112 with the recent unilateral 10-point rise in the ratings.
He carries top weight in a Pinnacle Stakes that heads the card and comes off a promising effort in the Post Merchants where things did not go his way after losing ground at the start.
Sun And Sand does have his issues, as do most athletes, but the switch back to a straight course may now be what he is looking for and although he takes on some speedy individuals over the five furlongs, his class may shine through.
Best weighted Vision To Kill has been scratched which could leave the way clear for the grey Isca.
He loves the Scottsville 1 000m and was arguably unlucky on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly last time out after having the door shut in his face when threatening the lead.
Whether he could have won or not is a moot point but his chances were definitely compromised.
That said, he faces a far stronger field here but does
have the advantage of a handy galloping weight.
Louis Goosen saddles three runners, Captains Girl possibly the pick of his trio on pure ability, but she has to give stable companions Winter Blues and Effortless Reward 12kg and 13,5kg respectively which is a lot of pudding.
Effortless Reward
Effortless Reward is quick but does have issues while Winter Blues is an honest soldier and could prove the pick of the Goosen trio.
Hey By, On That Boulevard Goliath Heron and Arianos Shadow – having her second run for Frank Robinson – must all rate chances in a tough race.
The return to the Hollywoodbets Scottsville turf has resulted in big fields and punters will have their work cut out, the bonus being that if they find the right combinations, the rewards should be healthy.
Brooklyn takes on a big field in the Pick 6 opener and was WHEN you have done six years cutting your teeth as an assistant with the Kwa-Zulu Natal veteran and legendary trainer Dennis Drier and decide to take out your own licence, you know that a better grounding you could not have asked for and the consistent results speak for themselves.
The man I am talking about is Phillipi-based trainer Michael Robinson.
Robinson will not forget his first hattrick which he achieved at Durbanville yesterday.
All three of his winners were steered to victory by title-chasing Warren Kennedy who also had the distinction of riding all four legs of the jackpot.
Kennedy said in his post-race interview that he was delighted to have given Mike and Louellla their first treble, they absolutely adore their horses he said. Kennedy has recently become a father and he has made it clear that he is going for this season’s jockey championship. Robinson, 47, must have thought whilst driving to the races yesterday that he had a bright chance of having a winner or two! He had a strong card of runners and his day kicked off in the third race with Cross Court.
This lightly raced filly finished fourth and one can only feel that she might still have some more improvement to come.
Lunar Tunes
not far back on debut.
He does have a wide draw to contend with, not ideal in a capacity line-up, but he should come on from a fair debut effort.
Of the balance, Dutch Alley got a taste of the vet’s scalpel after being reported lame after his last start but prior to that had run a cracker over today’s course and distance.
The scratching of the consistent Kilvington could pave the way for Kom Naidoo’s runner Call Me Tonight in the Allen’s Panel Shop Handicap.
She put in two good efforts from wide draws on the poly track at her last two and jumps from a more favourable gate today.
Such A Rush
Such A Rush and Highveld raider Shezashiningstar could prove pick of the balance.
The Duncan Howells pairing of Love Theme and Starlight could dominate in the sixth but again it is not an easy affair with a number of runners in with more than just a shout.
The floodgates opened in the fourth where Lunar Tunes got the better of the Brett Crawford-trained Maningi Indaba in a nail-biting finish. This was strike one for Kennedy and Robinson.
Forty minutes later the jockey / trainer combination were in the winner’s enclosure with Lady Abigail.
This Crusade filly was supposed to go to Robinson some time ago but Mike De Haast from the International Racing Club said that they battled to get her to Cape Town due to the restrictions at the time. They then sent her to
An interesting runner is Naidoo’s mare Royal Kaitrina.
Apprentice Philasande Mxoli has his first ride but is no stranger to the rigours of race riding have won countless races in the Eastern Cape ‘bush’ meetings.
He is blessed with a good pair of hands and “I’ve given him a nice ride,” commented Naidoo.
The seventh is something of a lottery but Karatage and Dancing Feather could prove the pick in a really open contest.
William Henley
William Henley made a smart debut for Mark Dixon when beaten under a length on the poly and he does appear to have improved in blinkers.
Mighty Smart is an obvious danger, Paul Lafferty saying that the 1 750m will be right up his charge’s alley while Mamba Duke goes a more suitable trip given his pedigree and he caught the eye when making up some late ground in a recent five-furlong dash. Mike’s father-in-law, Doug Campbell, and he too, won a race with her at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the polytrack in July.
Robinson said her local debut was good enough and she came out well from that race and he thought that this was the right race for her.
It would have been a dead giveaway for anyone who was on course yesterday to see De Haast there all the way from his Bloemfontein home base.
This racing club deserve all the success they can get.
Secret Depths
Next into the winner’s box was the daughter of Elusive Fort, Secret Depths. The in-form trainer said in his post-race interview that she had been such an unlucky filly and he was really chuffed that she has finally won again. He rates her as one of the nicest fillies he has trained.
Part-owner and breeder Peter De Beyer was on course to lead her in.
Eric Sands made two visits to the winner’s box first with Broadside in the first race and then with Bellingham Bay in the seventh.
Racegoer followers would have noticed that there was a large picture of Lady Abigail in the papers on Tuesday night as well as Broadside in the headlines.
All in all, a very good day out at the country course.