Naval Secret takes a big drop in class and should be hard to beat in Race 2, a MR 75 Handicap over 1700m on the Greyville Polytrack on Monday.
The likely favourite, however, could be The Appeal who suddenly turned his Polytrack form around, banging out impressive wins on the synthetic recently. However, his merit rating has gone up eight points (4kg).
His last run was against weaker opposition and with the subsequent weight hike, he could find Naval Secret more than a match.
Naval Secret has not been beaten easily in far stronger races and yet has dropped in merit ratings points, allowing him to race at this lower level. His 1.5kg apprentice claim courtesy of Kaidan Brewer must give him a massive chance.
The country’s leading trainer, Paul Peter, has brought Zanetto to Durban for the meeting and she will line up in Race 5, a MR 75 Apprentice Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m.
Zanetto is headed for higher divisions. She was thoroughly impressive the last time her yard raided the Polytrack and she set a very fast time over 1400m. In fact, her time was almost three seconds faster than the class average and almost one second faster than Tread Swiftly, the top division winner over the same distance on the day.
She is very quick out the pens and has plenty speed in her female bloodline so the drop to the 1200m is likely to suit her.
Secret Giver, who runs in Race 4, a MR 68 Handicap over 2000m, could be added if looking for value. This horse, related to legendary miler Legal Eagle, has taken time to mature but showed versatility with a good win on the Highveld recently. He won his maiden on the poly easily and wasn’t disgraced in subsequent races on the surface.
The Gavin van Zyl-trained runner had some good races in Joburg and will be aided in the saddle by Warren Kennedy, who is heading for his second Champion Jockey title.
Clive Robinson
