Sea Bean to win Diamond Stayers

Northern Cape racing takes pride of place on the national racing programme this weekend when Flamingo Park will play host to a 10-race programme that includes the R200,000 RA Flamingo Mile, the R135,000 RA Sprint and R110,000 Department of Economic Development and Tourism Diamond Stayers on Kimberley’s flagship raceday.

These races have attracted the best of the ‘home’ contingent as well as out-of-province raiders.

The Flamingo Mile looks to be at the mercy of course-and-distance specialist Roy’s Dispren. This Corrie Lensley-trained Windrush gelding, with Callan Murray up, has found his niche in the Northern Cape, racking up five wins and two places from eight starts with four of those over this track and trip. He renews rivalry with Red Special who is 1kg better off for a 2.75-length defeat, and Dodgy Itie, 3kg better off for a three-length defeat, and should confirm his superiority over the pair.

In the stayers’ race, lightly raced Sea Bean makes plenty appeal after she took to the sand surface like a camel to the desert when dispatching male rivals in the Kimberley Classic over 1600m.

Bill Human’s filly won her maiden over 2000m at the Vaal in just her third start and on that evidence Sea Bean should have little trouble negotiating the step up to 2200m. Despite her eight-point penalty, she may prove better than rated on sand and will take a power of beating.

Prolific speedster Rock A Bye boasts an almost impregnable record over 1000m at the track, having won seven of eight starts over the course and distance. However, while another bold showing is expected under Murray in the RA Sprint, she may have to play second fiddle to stable companion In Full Regalia.

The latter was the subject of strong betting support on his local debut but only just failed to land the gamble when touched off by Rock A Bye Baby at the line, giving the winner 1kg.