Before Noon to arrive on schedule

Before Noon was narrowly touched off in the Grade 3 Gold Vase over 3000m at Greyville 11 days ago. Today he drops in class when he lines up in Race 7 at Scottsville, a MR 87 Handicap over 2400m.

Sean Tarry’s runner looked to have the race in the bag going into the final stages but suddenly Dynasty’s Blossom flew up on his outside and it was left to the judges to separate the pair.

Before Noon was clearly expected to put up a bold showing by his connections as he shortened in the betting from an opening call of 25-1 to go off at 10-1.

The average merit rating in that race was 99 while it is 84 for Wednesday’s event. Of course, because he is now running in a weaker field, there is a commensurate increase in weight. While he carried just 50kg in the Gold Bowl, the son of Await The Dawn will now have 58.5kg on his back.

Following his good previous run there is little doubt Tarry will be considering the Gold Cup at the end of the month as a likely target for Before Noon, so a good run in this event can be expected.

He will have no problem with the course as three runs back he won over this distance at Scottsville. Ant Mgudlwa rode him last time and Tarry has engaged him yet again.

Bayview Express is lightly raced and will be trying this distance for the first time. But he looks to be improving and is unbeaten in two runs with Anton Marcus on his back.

Marcus is back aboard so the Yogas Govender-trained runner must be respected.