A Night At The Proms for Howells
AFTER having done my selections for the Racecard in the usual 90 minutes before print deadline – KZN trainers seem to be allowed an awful lot of leeway when it comes to final declarations – and then comparing my selections to Computaform picks, I was left wondering if it was even the same card!
Racing in KZN has not been easy these past few weeks and today’s Greyville card looks particularly tricky. An indication of just how tricky comes in the Itsarush.co.za Handicap, a sprint over 1 200m. Almost all of the runners have some claim to the winner’s cheque but at very least you will get a good price about your fancy - win or lose.
Littleblacknumber is a smart mare and Duncan Howells has been forced to race her in strong company because of her high merit rating and a lack of suitable races.
She makes her poly debut this afternoon but looks well suited to the surface and could prove too good for the males.
Al Ciberano is overdue another win and has a light weight and a top draw. With Anthony Delpech booked for the mount the gelding should have every chance.
Top Form made a smart return to the track after a break and if he comes on from that he will be a factor. Gareth van Zyl saddles Redcarpet Captain who although he has a big weight he is unbeaten in two over course and distance since being gelded. Alistair Gordon’s pair of Beat The Retreat and Bunker Bill are also both capable on their day as is Waltzed Home. In the card opener, the Howellstrained Elysian Fields has put in two modest efforts on the turf but his one run on the poly was excellent.
A repeat of that showing should see him close.
Most of Dean Kannemeyer’s runners have shown an affinity for the poly track.
He sends out Gates who looks a threat to Elysian Fields.
He raced green on debut when jumping from a wide draw and is sure to improve on that effort.
The Reformation is another who has run his best race on the poly and failed narrowly two runs back at long odds.
Roy’s Slow Motion sped up quite a bit when sent on the poly and although a distant third he can feature in the money again
In the second We’re Watching You made a promising debut on the turf at Scottsville.
She is likely to handle the poly given the soft ground on debut and meets a modest field. Howells has a chance of a quick double as Night At The Proms has run her best races on the poly and was close-up in both recent outings. She has a tricky draw but should feature prominently.
It has been some time since Jeff Freeman had a winner but Promissory has been close-up in some useful company of late, much stronger than he meets here.
He has a good draw and with Anton Marcus engaged the inference is obvious. Aramouse has excellent form for Weiho Marwing and was touched off by One O Won last Wednesday.
He looks the biggest threat to the selection.
Sea Urchin
A danger to both could be Sea Urchin. Lightly raced he has his problems but he also has ability.
Garth Puller has declared him in blinkers for the first time and he should be included in all calculation.
The fifth is another minefield. Greatfiveight has had a busy few weeks since arriving in KZN.
He has taken to the poly but blinkers proved to be the key to his next win.
He finished a close-up fourth behind Penhaligon last Sunday so will at the very least strip fit for this race where he has a chance in in a weak field. Roy’s Rolls Royce has shown some fair form on the poly and should feature in this company along with The Gingerman who has also improved in blinkers but has a difficult draw to overcome here.
Variety Romp
Variety Romp is a lightly raced sixyear-old who made a promising comeback after a lengthy break last month. He can go close in the sixth where recent maiden winner Apres Ski made major improvement when tried in blinkers on his poly debut and can follow up while San Julian Bay has shown up well in two starts on the poly but has to lump a big weight from a wide draw.
In the seventh Beaute Noire has done well for her new stable and made a cracking handicap debut.
She has a big weight but could prove too good here and is a possible exotic bet banker.
Danger could be Lunar Sea who has been in good form on the turf. Of concern was her modest last effort on the poly but she has drawn well and has a handy weight. The lucky last could go the way of Archilles who was not far back to a useful colt last time out.
He meets weaker here and should have a strong chance.