South Africa Racing – Pettigrew to improve on already impressive strike rate

Trainer Stuart Pettigrew (Middle) - Credits to Gold Circle Facebook

Trainer Stuart Pettigrew may have saddled only 22 winners in the current season compared to Paul Peter’s 130 (at the time of writing), but this does not mean the shrewd conditioner is one to ignore.

Pettigrew has a much smaller yard than the big boys, and pound-for-pound rates among the best in the country. In fact, the diminutive trainer, currently in 22nd spot on the trainers log, boasts a win/place strike rate of 56,03%. Of all the trainers above him on the log, he is only just surpassed by Mike de Kock (fourth on the log), whose win/place strike rate is at 56,56%.

On Thursday 17 March, Pettigrew has three runners on the eight-race card at Turffontein and by all accounts he will improve on his strike rate.

In Race 4, a Class B MR 96 Handicap over the rather odd distance of 1500m, Whafeef will fly the yard’s flag.

As the lowest rated runner, he obviously takes on a strong field, but jumping from gate 4 and carrying only 50,5kg thanks to the 1,5kg allowance that apprentice jockey Philasande Mxoli brings to the party, he will have every chance to score his elusive second career win.

Whafeef, by Rafeef, will be fitted with blinkers again and this could make the world of difference as he started his career with this headgear in his first five outings. In this competitive field he should offer value as he expected to go off at decent odds.

Pettigrew’s two other runners on the day will both be in action in Race 5, a Class C MR 80 Handicap also over 1500m.

Castle Corner and Admiral Dooley, both two-time winners, are expected to be heavily involved in the business end of this contest.

The former has only had three runs this season and with improved fitness could return to the winning way he ended last season, when he followed up his maiden win with another victory. Although drawn to jump from gate 8, which is not ideal on the difficult Turffontein Inside course, this should not be a problem for this Ideal World gelding as he is usually slow out the gate, saving his energy to pounce over the last 400m.

Admiral Dooley, on the other hand, has achieved his best results attacking from the front and from gate 4 will probably take the lead.

He is in exceptional form and punters should consider backing the pair to score a 1-2 results for Pettigrew.

Clive Robinson

Melissa
Author: Melissa