Gavin looks to be in command
OPENER: LERENA CAN GET PUNTERS OFF TO A WINNING START AT TURFFONTEIN
Marcus is another jockey with good rides on the card.
We are just one week away from the Sun Met and it has been a thrilling build-up in what is sure to be a superb event. Although only 14 runners have accepted to run in this Grade 1 race over 2000m at Kenilworth, what a field we have! With the exception of Soqrat, who sadly had to be withdrawn, we have the best middle-distance horses in the country all in one race at weight for age. One could honestly say that the winner of this race can lay claim to being the South African champion.
We will go more into detail about the Sun Met and all the other wonderful races on the card in next week’s column.
Today we are focusing on the Turffontein card where the Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes is the feature on the card. We are back on the Inside track for this meeting.
This race is generally a showcase for some unexposed prospects potentially aiming towards the SA Derby and the other Triple Crown races which form a massive part of the upcoming autumn season on the Highveld.
With R4 million kicking off the Pick 6 on Sun Met day at Kenilworth with an expected pool of R18 million, a profitable day will go a long way to generating money for all the huge pools.
I think we can start off with a good bet on Storm Commander in the Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1600m. Candice Dawson has her stable in top form and with Gavin Lerena up and a decent No 4 draw, he looks hard to beat.
This is not the strongest of races and this gives Storm Commander the perfect opportunity to shed his maiden tag.
In Race 2, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1600m, I really like the look of Double Hearts. She’s progressive, and off a good draw with Anton Marcus in the irons, this filly from the Joe Soma stable looks the one to beat.
Dancinginthewind and wellbred filly Roman Royalty look the immediate dangers.
Take Swingers and Trifectas with Double Hearts and the other two.
In Race 3 the unbeaten Lady Of Steel from the Johan Janse van Vuuren stable has been really impressive and I think we should follow her until she is beaten. This will be her first race around the turn and she tries 1600m for the first time in this MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares, but she is nicely drawn in pole position and has Gavin up.
If you want to cover in the exotics then Eightfolds Lass and Querari Ferrari are the dangers.
Race 4 is a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m and the first leg of the Pick 6. I’ve made it a two-horse race between stable companion Cirillo and Tierra Del Fuego from the Sean Tarry yard.
Cirillo is the class horse and should be cherry ripe in his third run after a layoff. He also has the benefit of having Anton up. Tierra Del Fuego continues to improve and he runs very well for Raymond Danielson who is back up on him again.
Put both in the Pick 6.
I’ve narrowed Race 5, a MR 99 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, down to two horses as well.
Pool Party is in good form and holds most of these on form. Once again, Gavin will be riding this mare from the Roy Magner yard and she is my first selection in the race.
I make La Bella Mia the danger. I think it was too short last time for the Weiho Marwing-trained runner and she is the class horse in this race.
She could also benefit from the 2.5kg claimed by apprentice Tajesh Juglall.
Race 6 is a MR 78 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m and as it looks quite open, go as wide as possible in the exotics.
Evening Rise is another possible winner for Gavin and Fabian Habib’s charge should run well, especially with the blinkers on.
Encryption, Anne Boleyn and Stellar Motion all have chances so they must go into the Pick 6.
Race 7 is the Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m and it is also an open race but I was very impressed with Mike de Kocktrained Spero Optima win in his last start.
The form has been franked and he is the horse to beat.
I’ve always held Green Laser in high regard and he will be close to peak fitness for this race. He will also enjoy the step up in distance and I make him the danger.
Include Mohican, Snow Palace and Tiger's Rock in the Quartets.
In Race 8, a Graduation Plate over 1450m, I’m going to take a chance and banker Approach Control in all my bets.
I think the race will suit him and, with the blinkers on, he will be hard to beat.
Risk Taker ran well after getting left in her last start and looks a danger along with Al Borak and Johnny Hero.
Race 9, a Middle Stakes over 2600m, is really open. I would work around Before Noon, Palace Green and Pomander but go as wide as possible.
Others to consider could be Tirzan and Final Occasion.