Redeemer can defy the handicap

THE lightly raced Redeemer arrived in KZN from Brett Crawford’s Philippi yard with a fairly modest record but has obviously taken to his new Summerveld satellite home as he bids for his third straight win when he lines up at Scottsville today.

The White Horse Function Room Handicap is his for the taking given the manner of his recent victories despite his eight-pound rise in the handicap. He made short work of Dark Moon Rising at his local debut and then sped clear over the final two furlongs to put more than six lengths between himself and the chasing pack, and again races over the same course and distance.

Redeemer has been lumbered with top weight and is now 3 kg worse off with Baltic Amber, behind him last time out, but he beat them him with ease and even the swing in the handicap is unlikely to make a difference although he may finish a little closer.

After being side-lined for much of last year with suspected heart strain, BSA Million winner Legend has come back strong for Duncan Howells and turned in two smart recent efforts. He was second best in the Christmas Handicap won by Roy Had Enough but prior to that finished with a rattle to win over the Greyville mile.

“If staying the distance (he) will be very competitive,” said Howells on his website.

On the evidence of those two outings, he could well prove a better proposition over tomorrow’s extended trip where top weight One Man Show appears his most likely threat.

Dean Kannemeyer’s runner looked all over a winner when reeling in pacemaker Techno Captain with a furlong still to run in his last race over the Scottsville 2 400m, but Techno Captain refused to give in and rallied to the call of apprentice Ashton Arries to come back and claim victory.

Today’s trip with top weight may be a touch on the short side for One Man Show but he boasts solid recent form and should be competitive.