Monte Christo to make it count
A WINNER on debut for Alistair Gordon, Monte Christo was hammered by the handicappers and came out of it with a seemingly lofty merit rating of 85. The handicappers were taking no chances when Monte Christo followed with a closeup third in his handicap debut and was shunted up another four pounds.
Monte Christo only had three further starts for Gordon without success before being rested and gelded and moved on to Charles Laird for whom he makes his second start in the Racing.
It’s A Rush Graduation Scottsville tomorrow.
The gelding started a luke-warm favourite over the Scottsville 1000m for his new stable finishing a creditable third, beaten under a length by Swakopmund. With that run under his girth and over a more suitable trip, he is likely to be on offer at cramped odds.
Duncan Howells saddled 22 runners at this venue on Sunday and will be busy again with another 10 tomorrow. Best of them may be Inyati in the card opener but Restless Rogue could give Monte Christo and Anton Marcus something to think about. The three-year-old has only had three outings, winning second time out and then four lengths back in his handicap debut. He will enjoy the step up in trip and gets 3,5 kg from Monte Christo. He also has the services of Anthony Delpech which is worth an extra couple of lengths.
Unbelievable Chad, part-owned by Olympic gold medallist Chad le Clos, started favourite on debut but found Monte Christo just a little more forward and he had to settle for silver, as did Le Clos in the recent Rio Olympics.
Unbelievable Chad proved to be a handful and his post maiden form, although useful, was obviously below what was expected and Paul Lafferty eventually called in the vet.
After a four-month break, Unbelievable Chad came out in a strong Pinnacle Stakes sprint and was palpably in need of the outing, finishing seven lengths adrift of the smart London Call.
He is sure to have come on from that run and if he has his mind on the job he could have the measure of both Monte Christo and Restless Rogue. In any event all three should be included in the exotics.
The balance of the card looks more difficult. Humidor holds the course record for the Scottsville 1200m and is back over the course and distance in the Bartab No 56 @ Overport Handicap after trying 1600m last time out.
The stake of the KZN Breeders Million Mile was an obvious carrot for Tony Rivalland and the gelding’s connections and although the “mile” proved a touch beyond his compass he was far from disgraced in fourth behind top performers No Worries and Rabada.
The blinkers are back on as is Anton Marcus who has been aboard in all four of the gelding's victories so the omen’s are all good.
Sean Tarry saddles the top weight Kapitan that is having his third start after a break. He had an inexperienced apprentice aboard last time out and has been replaced by his more experienced weighing room colleague Lyle Hewitson.
The gelding has some fair Highveld form to his credit and he should strip at his peak this afternoon.
The Chris Erasmus stable has hit form of late and Panza has been flying the flag. He last two wins coming over course and distance but he does take on a better class field here.
Howells can get the meeting off to a winning start in the All To Come Maiden Plate with the filly Inyati. She was the more fancied of a Howells trio last time out but after hitting the front a furlong out was swamped by Maple Story and stable companions Online and Accidental Tourist. The winner is highly regarded and both Online andAccidental Tourist have franked that form. The shorter trip should also suit given Inyati's last showing and she rates the filly to beat. She does face a field that is not short of form but best of the challengers could come in the form of Captains Moll. James Goodman’s filly was tossed in at the deep end - a maiden against winners in a Gr2 - at her last outing after two smart sprints. She finished second on debut to the smart Howellstrained Blaze Of Mystery at long odds and a repeat of that showing will make her dangerous.