Stormy Ridge could fly to victory in Speedsters Stakes

IT seems to be a wide open race, but if Stormy Ridge can repeat his last run over 1 200m at Fairview, he should be hard to beat in tomorrow’s Speedsters Stakes over 1 000m on the Fairview Polytrack.

Stormy Ridge, who will once again be ridden by Greg Cheyne for the Alan Greeff yard, was stubborn in the early stages last time but flew late to beat Sedge by a neck.

Although the meeting has been switched to the Polytrack, Stormy Ridge is a consistent sort who is sure to give a good account of himself.

The five-year-old son of Tiger Ridge is a four-time winner from 29 starts and could easily upset the more fancied runners.

However, victory won’t come easy and Swift Wonder and Blackmalkin will certainly feature in the closing stages. Swift Wonder was narrowly beaten by Yoshie last time over 1 000m and with Muzi Yeni back in the saddle a positive run is expected for the Yvette Bremner stable.

The Justin Snaith-trained Blackmalkin has placed on the surface before and should run well.

He was not at his very best in his last start, but came close prior to that when he ran two successive thirds. This time Aldo Domeyer is in the saddle and the pair will jump from gate No 1.

Hekkie Strydom’s Russian Mig is also a strong contender and has been quite consistent this year. Charles Ndlovu takes the ride and could finish in the money.

In his last race Russian Mig led over 1 200m, but tired late to finish 2,60 lengths behind Stormy Ridge.

Tetelestai and Nile Symphony are outsiders who could force themselves into the Quartet. Warren Kennedy takes the ride on the Jacques Strydomtrained Tetelestai this time and could improve on a disappointing seventh in his last race. Nile Symphony won his last race when he defeated Verlaine by a three-quarter of a length over 1 000m.

He is 3kg better off this time, giving Gift Funeka a solid foundation to finish in the money.

The race is off at 16.35 and carries prize money of R100 000.