Fortune on the double
TRAINER Ashley Fortune looks set for a double today at Turffontein in the last two races on the Inside track.
In race 7, a FM87 Handicap over 1 000m, her Oratorio filly On Cue could well return to winning ways.
Two consecutive victories, followed by a runnerup finish in a FM80 Handicap, saw her merit rating increase by eight points. Despite this increase, she gave a very good account of herself in her penultimate against stronger than she meets here.
Last time out, on her debut on the Turffontein Inside track, she battled to get going from a bad draw.
This time round, with Ryan Munger back in the saddle and jumping from gate 2, she looks primed for a fifth career win, especially with her knowledge of the course.
On Cue is notoriously slow out the blocks and relies heavily on her acceleration in the final 400m to reel in the field, often from near stone last.
If she gets going from the word go here, she might not have to do too much chasing, but can look forward to playing catch-me-if-you-can.
In race 8, a FM70 Handicap also over 1 000m, Fortune saddles three runners.
With Munger aboard Laetitia’s Angel, it’s obvious that this five-year-old Potala Palace mare is the stable elect.
Laetitia’s Angel has been in prolific form since being fitted with blinkers.
She was denied a hat-trick recently when finishing only half a length behind Red Carpet Girl, that run sandwiched between two solid wins, the first coming over this course.
Her eight-point penalty for her recent performances seems quite lenient and she should be the one to beat despite carrying top weight.