POST SPORT Excitement mounts for POST Merchants Willow Magic – or Daring Dave by a nose?
CHAMPION thoroughbred conditioner elect, Sean Tarry, is likely to weave a touch of magic in the top race for sprinters, the POST Merchants at Greyville Racecourse on Friday night.
Tarry’s four year old colt, Willow Magic, has the credentials to take the R350 000 POST Merchants, when he lines up with 14 other speedsters in the race over 1 200m.
The Dubawi sired thoroughbred has the form to lead the pack home.
His eye-catching second placed finish in his last run to Legislate speaks volumes of his ability.
Willow Magic, the best weighted runner in the big race, will be guided from barrier 7 by accomplished jockey Piere “Striker” Strydom.
His in-form trainer Tarry is bullish that Willow Magic has what it takes to romp home on Friday night.
“Willow Magic is in tip-top shape and everything has gone like clockwork. If he jumps on terms, he will be the one they have to beat,’’ said Tarry.
Willow Magic’s co-owner, Satch Mathen, said he too was expecting a top performance from his runner.
“I have a hectic schedule this weekend. I however will be flying to Durban on Friday to see my horse run in the POST Merchants. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will indeed be a magical night for my stable and Willow Magic’s backers’’ said Mathen.
The depth of the POST Merchants field is such that any of the other 14 runners (Bichette, the stable companion of Willow Magic has been scratched) Daring Dave wearing a specially designed compression suit has the ability to upstage his more fancied opponents at this year’s POST Merchants. could sneak into the placings.
Daring Dave, trained by the Cape maestro Justin Snaith, will be out to spoil the party for the connections of Willow Magic.
Snaith, who won the POST Merchants last year with Varikate, is bound to have Daring Dave jumping out of his skin in the big race.
The Dynasty-sired Daring Dave, who was fitted with a state-of-the-art compression suit when a POST team visited him at his Summerveld stable last week, looks to have benefited enormously from the gear.
The suit is used to assist thoroughbreds loosen their muscles and to regulate their blood flow.
Daring Dave, the mount of Richard Fourie, is owned by Cape Town magnate Hassan Adams and prominent Gauteng businessman Dayalan Chinsamy,
Snaith is oozing with confidence that Daring Dave will come on in leaps and bounds following his 7th position to the classy Captain Of All in the Golden Horse Sprint over 1200m at Scottsville last month.
The three-year-old Joey Ramsden-trained gelding, Brutal Force, also has the form to be in the thick of things.
While he finished 12th last time behind Captain Of All, Brutal Force recorded two wins and a second from his three previous runs.
Assistant trainer Alson Ndzilana said Brutal Force was ready for the POST Merchants.
“Brutal Force is in tip-top shape. He has a wide barrier to overcome and should be in the shakeup,’’ said Ndzilana .
The rank outsiders Sheik’s Brashee from the Michael Miller yard; Royal Security Power, owned by Durban security boss Roy Moodley and trained by Kumaran Naidoo; Diamond King from the Tony Rivalland stable; and Show Me The Way, will make the exotic bets pay if they put their best hooves forward in the POST Merchants.
Miller said Sheik Brashee’s preparation had gone according to plan.
“He is badly drawn and ran a cracking third behind Captain Of All last time,’’ said Miller.
Naidoo and Moodley said Royal Security Power was a proven sprinter and was raring to go.
Assistant trainer Terry Fripp said Diamond King was also well and could run well in a strong field.
Trainer Dixon said he was expecting a good run from the outsider Show Me The Way.
Assistant trainer Nathan Kotzen in the Mike de Kock stable said Moofeed was a much better horse compared to his disappointing last run.