Candyman and Master Tobe a sweet bet

Storm Ruler’s too inconsistent to trust

Although Highveld-based conditioner Johan Janse van Vuuren is yet to crack into the top 10 of the national trainers’ championship log, he has made KwaZulu-Natal his second home and has had great success around that circuit this season – building a 13.4% win-strike rate.

He should saddle his 42nd winner of the season when Master Tobe lines up in today’s Race 9, a MR 67 Handicap over 1950m on the Hollywoodbets Scottsville racetrack.

He battled to run a place in his first three starts at Turffontein but became a completely different horse once shipped to KZN, following up his penultimate second with a flawless triumph over 1400m at this venue, outclassing Divine High by 1.25 lengths 73 days ago.

The manner in which this three-yearold son of Master Of My Fate has finished off his last two races suggests he will have no trouble staying the extra 550m of this event.

He will also benefit from the fact he jumps from stall gate No 3 and shoulders level weight with his biggest danger Storm Ruler at 59.5kg.

Although much-improved when second last time out, the latter has battled to run a place over this course and distance and jumps from the widest draw of all, so a win is unlikely.

On this evidence, the selection looks a banker in all bets.

For BiPot players, it is extremely hard to see Candyman miss the first two when he reunites with jockey Sean Veale, so you can banker him in the first leg – Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1200m.

He followed up his barrier trial fourth with an eye-catching second over this course and distance, beaten just 0.75 lengths.

Dennis Drier’s charge will have learned from that loss and even though he doesn’t top the best-weighted column, with the necessary improvement he should shed his maiden tag.

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