Fillies have the edge
CONDITIONS: LIGHTLY WEIGHTED LA BELLA MIA LOOKS BEST IN PINNACLE STAKES
Riverstown and Spiritofthegroove to fight out Graduation Plate.
It has become a regular occurrence with Pinnacle Stakes races that the fillies turn out to be the best handicapped runners. Often you can overlook them as candidates as their merit ratings are bolstered by races against their own sex.
However, that might not be the case in Race 8 tomorrow over 1000m on the Turffontein Inside track. The best two handicapped runners are Mighty High and La Bella Mia with Basadi Faith just 0.5kg out with them.
Mighty High was off the track for more than six months, retuning to racing on 16 January to contest a Pinnacle Stakes over 1200m at the Vaal in which she finished and 11.50-length 12th behind Mr Flood.
She might still be in need of a run, but she could be worth including in the Pick 6 as she does have enough ability to win a race of this nature.
Needing a run is less true of the other two – and La Bella Mia in particular. She has a lot going for her in this race as she has a good record at this course having won three times and placed twice in seven starts. Her two unplaced runs can be explained. The first was in a MR 104 Handicap where she had to give a lot of weight to most of her opposition and she was drawn wide, a problem at this course because all races are around the turn.
The second was over 1450m which is probably too far for her.
This time she is drawn No 3 and carries just 51kg, thanks to the fact apprentice Tajesh Juglall takes another 2,5kg off her back.
Basadi Faith is even better off as she carries 49kg – she also has a 2.5kg claimer up – and jumps from barrier No 1.
Rebel’s Champ has proved he can handle this course as he has two wins and a place from four starts on the Inside track. He is not that well drawn at No 7 and will have to give 9kg to La Bella Mia and 11kg to Basadi Faith if he is to win. That won’t be easy but with the combination of trainer Paul Peter and jockey Warren Kennedy in such good form, you cannot write off this five-year-old gelding.
One can probably get away with just two horses in your Pick 6 in Race 7, the Brian Wiid Memorial Graduation Plate over 1200m.
Riverstown and Spiritofthegroove are by far the best handicapped runners and should fight out the finish.
The only danger could be Mike de Kock-trained Aqua Delta who won on debut but has not raced since finishing 4.15 lengths behind Eden Roc in the Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m at Greyville on Durban July day.
He was subsequently gelded but with a 238-day break, he will probably need the run. Nevertheless, keep an eye on the betting. To take a bet
Go to www.tabonline.co.za or www.bettingworld.co.za