Howells fancies Colour Of Light

ON paper, Colour Of Light looks the horse to beat today at Hollywoodbets Greyville in Race 8, a FM 68 Handicap over 1200m.

But as the saying goes, they won’t be racing on paper. The 12 contestants will be tested on the Polytrack, which might work out even better for Duncan Howells’ runner.

“She has had two runs here in Natal and did very well on both occasions,” said Howells yesterday.

“She is working well and will run to form. She came to us in very good nick from Sean Tarry and she is a sound horse, honest, and has good form.”

The six-year-old mare made her KwaZulu-Natal debut over today’s course and distance just over three weeks ago after moving down to the coast from the Highveld.

Although it was her first taste of the Poly in the 23rd career run, she ran a cracker under Anton Marcus, finishing third just 2.45 lengths behind Flashy Kaitrina.

She followed up with a fifth place at Hollywoodbets Scottsville a week ago, narrowly beaten by 0.40 lengths.

While She’s A Crusade and Makhet are regarded as her biggest threats, Alraune could be the magic ingredient in this race. The six-yearold mare started her career on the Highveld under trainer Gavin van Zyl.

After eight races, and still a maiden, she moved to KwaZulu-Natal where four races later she finally tasted success at Scottsville.

Her first seven post-maiden runs were forgettable, and she was then shipped off to Cliffie Miller in Kimberley.

It took her a while to get used to the sand track, but eventually she did put on her running shoes and went through a wonderful purple patch, recording nine consecutive top-four finishes which included three victories.

Due to the closure of Flamingo Park, she’s now back in KwaZulu-Natal where she recorded a fantastic fourth behind Flashy Kaitrina just over three weeks ago.

On that occasion she was 0.05 lengths behind Colour Of Light and gets the opportunity for revenge today. Include her in exotics.