Pack Leader loves the African Night Sky
Elusive Silva is upset material
The KwaZulu-Natal feature race season resumes at Greyville tomorrow, in what promises to be a smashing meeting headlined by the World Sports Betting 1900 (Grade 2) on the Turf track. Ten of the 13-horses carded will be gunning for a spot in this year’s Vodacom Durban July, run July 7. Following a stellar performance in The Sledgehammer (Listed) over 1800m when beaten by the whisker margin of 0.05 lengths into second place by Head Honcho – Pack Leader appears the right horse to back in this event. Considering he was inconvenienced by the winner at the 400m marker, forcing jockey Richard Fourie to ease him, it is safe to say he was extremely unlucky not win. In his defence, Pack Leader was also returning from a three-month stint off the racetrack and should strip a lot fitter. He should benefit from the extra 100m and an advantageous No 4 draw – expect massive improvement. “He is definitely working like a winner,” said trainer Glen Kotzen when discussing the colt’s chances. Pack Leader is currently trading at a valuable 4-1, further cementing the fact that this race is wide open. Justin Snaith-trained Elusive Silva finished 3.50 lengths behind Pack Leader last time. A decent effort considering he was trailing at the 400m marker – making up impressive ground over the last 200m, despite returning from a three-month rest. Trainer Justin Snaith confirmed the five-year-old Silvano gelding was doing very well at home. “If he overcomes the draw (No 13) he should be in the first four,” he said. Perhaps take Swingers and boxed Exactas featuring the pair. Winter Series winner and 8-1 second favourite for the July African Night Sky could prove too good for rivals in Race 7, the Solid Speed (2016) Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m on the Turf despite returning from a 112-day lay-off. Grant van Niekerk will ride and his experience should help the gelding overcome the No 7 draw in this 10-horse field.