Rainbow Bridge doubtful for Champions Cup
HOT TEAM: FLORIDA QUAYS WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE AND LOOKS HARD TO BEAT
Meeraas shows potential as a stayer and looks the answer to Race 5.
Jockey Warren Kennedy and trainer Paul Peter will be hoping history can repeat itself when they team up with four horses at the Vaal tomorrow when racing is on the Classic track.
On 4 July the pair joined forces to bring home six winners at the Vaal and some of those horses will be in action again at tomorrow’s meeting. One of the most impressive winners that day was Florida Quays, who romped home by four lengths to win a MR 66 Handicap over 1450m at this track.
What made that victory over Profit Ratio so relevant is that this four-year-old filly beat the colts and gelding carrying 62kg. She conceded 7kg to the runner-up
This time they race over 1500m in a FM 74 Handicap and although she takes a jump in class, Florida Quays will be taking on members of her own sex. She did get a 3.5kg penalty for her last win but she still comes into this event carrying 0.5kg less than her previous start.
Kennedy also has the advantage of jumping from No 1 draw.
Samarra stands out as the major threat to Florida Quays as she should appreciate the drop in distance.
Trainer Steven Lerena teams up with cousin Gavin who will be riding the six-year-old mare and they jump from barrier No 8.
Ponchielli has been very consistent in her last six starts, winning all of her alternative runs. She won last time, beating Fictitious by 1.25 lengths which means, based on current history, she is more likely to place than win. She is trained by Barend Botes and will be ridden by Randall Simons.
Pink has been knocking at the door and looks ready to notch up her second win very soon.
An interesting runner comes from the Sean Tarry stable in Race 5 over 2400m and that is Meeraas. He won his maiden last time and but this son of Silvano looks to be a very decent stayer in the making.
He is beautifully bred as he is out of Galileo mare Narjis. Although Meeraas only won his maiden by 0.50 lengths in his first attempt at 2000m, he always looked in control and should be even better over this trip. Lyle Hewitson takes the ride.