‘O’Neill’ to put down a marker
WILLIAM Longsword is the toast of the Western Cape sophomore colts after victory in the Gr1 CTS Cape Guineas and the CTS 1600 while the Highveld brigade should be sorted into some sort of pecking order come Saturday with the running of the Gr2 Gauteng Guineas.
As far as KZN goes, it is likely to stay up in the air for at least another month or so without any specific features for three-year-old males and no trainers seemingly willing to raid.
Gr2 Dingaans winner Singapore Sling is a notable absentee from the Gauteng Guineas field but he, and both Janoobi and Heavenly Blue, were soundly beaten by William Longsword when raiding the Cape.
It would be disappointing if Vaughan Marshall’s star does not make the trip to KZN for Champions Season as there is speculation that he may be retired to stud as an early replacement for his aging sire Captain Al although he only has a merit rating of 109, six pounds shy of top rated three-year-old Gold Standard rated 115.
Be that as it may, Mr O’Neill and Roman Emperor are way down the pecking order if their ratings are to be believed but could still be contenders come the winter features but they will need enforce that view when they run in the itsarush.co.za Middle Stakes at Scottsville today – Middle Stakes races being restricted to horses with a nett MR of 80 and below.
Mr O’Neill is much improved since being gelded and sent over ground by Dean Kannemeyer and he was far from disgraced when runner-up, beaten less than a length, by the progressive Heir Line giving the winner 3.5kg, this after winning two on the bounce.
The step up to 1 950m should hold no fears and he will start as one of the fancied runners.
Duncan Howells saddles the lightly-raced Roman Emperor who was just over a length back to Heir Line and Mr O’Neill when they met in early February but looks capable of a lot better. He did not handle the soft ground well and hung badly when under pressure. The going today should be perfect and although he is 2kg worse off with Mr O’Neill he strikes as a horse with plenty of scope and should be a threat.
Silver Rose is a lightly raced four-year-old who has been in good form on the Greyville poly. He stays the trip well and if he handles the switch to turf he too should be right there.
Of the balance, Captain At Sea was hammered with a hefty rating after his maiden win and on a line through Silver Rose and Lucky Luciano, looks well held - the switch to turf possibly the only point in his favour.
Air Chief Marshal carries top weight in the All To Come Handicap where he can take advantage of a drop in class. He jumped a division when fourth, beaten four lengths by Caribbean Day over the course and distance, but prior to that was a fluent winner on the Greyville turf. He has the worst of the draw but it is only a ten-horse field so should not be too disadvantaged.
Unbelievable Chad has been disappointing and is definitely better than his record of a single victory would suggest.
Paul Lafferty’s charge does appear to have a few behavioural issues but was a close-up second on the poly last time out and can finally go one better.
Also in with a chance is Baltic Amber. He was caught for pace over the Greyville 1 400m last time out and Duncan Howells will be more confident of his chances over the course and distance where he recorded his last win.
With bright sunshine over the past two days, Scottsville should be in prime condition after the recent rains.