Affranchi out to make amends
ROY’S MAGIC and Edge Of The Sun are locked together at the top of the KZN Summer Series Log with Edge Of The Sun’s recent victory at Greyville putting him narrowly on top.
But fourth place will see Roy’s Magic leapfrog his rival when he lines up in the Lenny Taylor Memorial Handicap at Scottsville today where he is not necessarily guaranteed victory but must surely have a strong chance of making it into the quartet and top of the log.
Lenny Taylor, who died suddenly earlier this month, was a maverick trainer but one of the true characters of the sport and it is fitting the fifth is named in his honour.
The race is a bit of a puzzle but Gavin van Zyl is sure to be looking for a better effort from Affranchi.
Bought out of Tony Nassif’s yard after finishing a close-up second to Perfect Peter, he was well supported in the market for the KZN Guineas Trial. He ran no sort of race and was upstaged by lesser fancied stable companion Stream Ahead.
The blinkers go on and if Affranchi runs up to his previous form he could prove difficult to peg back.
The dangers could lurk among the bottom three in the handicap where the consistent Roy’s Magic makes most appeal.
Ashburton-based Louis Goosen has a handful of quick fillies in his yard and three will be up against each other in a hotly contested Pinnacles Stakes.
The course has had a two-month break for spring treatment and Goosen, ever professional, did an inspection on Tuesday and declared himself satisfied that the track is in top nick.
Hashtag Strat finished fourth in the Gardenia Stakes at Turffontein on Thursday evening and will likely give this race a miss but of his three fillies, Captain’s Girl boasts the best recent form.
She paid her way on a trip to Turffontein earlier this month, taking on a smart field of sprinters in the Golden Loom, beating all but Riverine home.
That was a top effort and with apprentice Jabu Jacobs claiming his 4kg today, it may be enough to see her go one better.
But it will not be easy. Many trainers have been waiting for the Scottsville turf and they have lined up in numbers.
Included in their ranks is visiting Paul Peter who saddles Rebel’s Champ, a fastfinishing fourth in the Golden Loom.
He started favourite for the race which is an indication of what punters were up against. He has a steadier of 62kg on his back but with Jacobs’s claim, it seems unlikely that he will be able to turn the tables on the filly.
Wynkelder is a course specialist, as is the smart London Call who finished two lengths behind him when last they met.
Effortless Reward is quick on her day while Sunset Eyes and Procal Harum are the ‘class’ runners in the race but both have been pencilled in for the Merchants at Turffontein on December 1 so this is a likely warm-up run.
Lowly handicaps over ground are often a recipe for an upset and with a maximum field of 12 lining up for the Rockafellas Restaurant Handicap over 2400m has all the ingredients.
There are a number of seasoned handicappers in the race including multiple winners in Zimbabwe raced Rawedge making his local debut, Hyaku and Storm Ruler but they may all have to get past recent maiden winner Banjo On My Knee.
Before his last run there was little in his Cape Town form to recommend him. But he revelled in the step up to 2400m and hacked home ahead of Belfry.
He is lightly raced and an improver taking on some well opposition. obvious exposed