Draw aids Trend Master

COURSE: HOUDALAKIS RUNNER PERFORMS BETTER AROUND THE TURN

Lone Survivor could add value to exotic bets.

To what extent does the expression “horses for courses” need to be taken into account when studying form? That’s a question bettors will need to answer when studying the form for Race 6 at the Vaal tomorrow, a MR 88 Handicap over 1600m on the Classic track.

Trend Master has been ultraconsistent, but his best form has come at Turffontein where all three wins of the Lucky Houdalakistrained runner have come – one on the Standside track and two in the Inside track.

In his penultimate start, however, Trend Master was beaten 0.40 lengths by Stop For Nothing and Stephen Moffatt’s charge is now 1.5kg better off, which should see him prevail again.

The concern is that Trend Master has not really performed well when racing up the Vaal straight and seems a lot better around the turn. Both runners have run well enough when racing on the Classic track, though, with Stop For Nothing a winner over 1450m at the course, beating Shortstop by 1.75 lengths while Trend Master, over the same track and trip, was quickly making up ground to produce the second-fastest 400m to finish behind Theravada after landed up too far back from No 12 draw.

This time it is Piere Strydom aboard Trend Master who has landed a perfect No 2 draw while Stop

For Nothing jumps from barrier No 10. The turn, coupled with the good draw, could see the balance shift in favour of the Lucky Houdalakis trained runner.

Scott Kenny saddles two competitive runners, and he had enhanced their chances by using two top jockeys. He has engaged Lyle Hewitson to ride Lone Survivor while Gavin Lerena is aboard evergreen nineyear-old Tokyo Drift.

The latter finished four lengths behind Trend Master last time and is 3kg better off, and although the gelding should get a lot closer, he is unlikely to turn the tables.

Lone Survivor is a little mercurial but when he wants to run, he can certainly turn it on. He won his third last start and last time jockey Craig Zackey reported Lone Survivor had made a respiratory noise in running.

He is the kind of horse who could add to the value of Trifectas and Quartets, so he is worth including in all bets.

CHAMPION RETURNS. South Africa’s Horse Of The Year, Summer Pudding, is welcomed back to the Paul Peter stable by all the grooms and Braam, the stable dog. The unbeaten seven-time winner returned from a rest at Mauritzfontein stud farm after a long season and will be prepared or the upcoming summer season on the Highveld.