Fade To Black should win Inn A Minute
Banker Magicallee in the BiPot
Sometimes a change of province does a thoroughbred the world of good and the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Fade To Black is the perfect example of this idea.
Following three poor runs in Cape Town, his connections shipped him to KwaZulu-Natal and in his first outing at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, he produced a career best to finish third behind Living Waters over 1600m, beaten a diminishing 1.75 lengths.
Despite having an advantageous draw No 5 draw on that occasion, jockey Keagan de Melo, struggled to find a good position for Fade To Black.
As a result, he sat one-from-last passing the 600m marker and had only advanced to ninth passing the 300m.
To cut a long story short, this three-yearold son of What A Winter had no right even running a place, so the fact he finished third is testament to his ability.
Fade To Black is perfectly drawn at No 1 draw today and considering he seems to have found his niche at Scottsville, he looks a worthy Pick 6 banker in Race 7, a Maiden Plate over 1500m.
This gelding’s biggest danger, Black Fox, has finished close-up second in his last two performances over 1600m, so he is undeniably talented.
The only issue is that draws are of paramount importance at this venue and unfortunately for Paul Lafferty’s charge, he is appallingly drawn at No 14 in this 15-horse.
On this evidence, he is extremely hard to recommend for the win.
The best bet on the card is easily Kumaran Naidoo-trained Magicallee, who followed up her barrier trial third with a gutsy second over 800m, producing a late assault on Harlington Express to lose by 0.30 lengths.
Now understanding her trade and stepping up to a more suitable 1000m trip, this two-year-old daughter of Grade 1 winning sprinter Willow Magic, should shed her maiden tag when she runs in Race 1, a Maiden Fillies Juvenile Plate.
Although at 66-1 the Garth Puller-trained Inn A Minute found no betting support at the first time of asking, she ran on impressively from 14th-place passing the 300m to outclass Fateful Mistress by 0.75 lengths.
If she reproduces a similar performance today, she will win Race 5, a FM 67 Handicap over 1950m.
She was originally supposed to carry 61kg but because Puller has opted to keep 4kg-claiming apprentice jockey Jabu Jacobs aboard, this four-year-old will shoulder 57kg – increasing her chances of winning.
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