Timkat is purring for Flamingo 1400

Trainer Cliffie Miller is making a determined bid to land the spoils in a rare feature race at Flamingo Park today – the Kimberley 1400, a Non-Black-Type contest with prize money of R110,000.

He saddles the top two in the betting, Timkat and Bright Flame, and should come away with the Exacta to his name.

Timkat, one of the last Fort Wood progeny still racing, has been superb since joining Miller’s yard – with five wins and three second places from nine outings on the Kimberley sand.

This four-year-old gelding has two course-and-distance victories to his name and, with regular jockey Collen Storey aboard once again, it’s difficult to see beyond him.

The one quibble might be with his draw in No 8 gate in the 10-horse field, but his form suggests a runner with heart who strives to overcome such disadvantages.

Stablemate Bright Flame has also built up some impressive stats since he relocated from the Highveld to race in the Northern Cape.

Jockey Marco van Rensburg knows him well – and knows how to conserve a horse’s resources on this unique surface – and he could give Timkat a fright.

The joker in the pack is Rock Pigeon, who raids from Leon Erasmus Junior’s Highveld stable.

This filly by Imperial Stride won last time out over 1400m on the Greyville Polytrack, showing she travels well and has no problem with the trip.

Icarus Flight at the top of the weights looks a relatively classy sort, but must jump from the widest stall. To take a bet Go to www.tabonline.co.za or www.bettingworld.co.za