Clive Robinson
After two runner-up finishes earlier in the year, Forgotten Time was twice tried over a bit extra, but on both occasions, he was found wanting at the business end.
Returning to 1200m he again ran second twice in a row. It must, however, be noted that he stumbled at the start in his last race, finding himself just about last. He did manage to come from the clouds to finish second, ahead of Floreana Island, who impressed here last week.
This time round Forgotten Time looks ready to win when he lines up in the first at Greyville on Monday 23 May, a Maiden Plate over 1200m.
He does have some interesting rivals, including two boasting Western Cape formlines in the form of Space Cowboy and Take To War. But both will be trying the right-hander for the first time and as such Forgotten Time could give them the slip.
Syx Hotfix rates the Place Accumulator banker of the day. He runs in Race 4, a MR75 Handicap over 1800 metres. This well-bred Flower Alley gelding turned his form around with two victories and a second on the poly after showing little on the turf at the start of his career. In his last outing he found only one better in Etiquette, a horse that made his own pace and was always going to be hard to catch carrying less weight, to deny him a hat-trick.
Frontrunners such as Querari’s Cowboy, Galabier and High Green should ensure a solid gallop is set from the outset, but this may also play in favour of With Pleasure, who comes into the race after taking part in the Grade 1 SA Derby at Turffontein. His class could make him a big player, but only if the new inmate of Dean Kannemeyer’s yard takes to the polytrack. Swingers and Exactas on Syx Hotfix and With Pleasure could serve up dividends here.
The race of the day has to be Race 7, a 1200m sprint MR85 Handicap. It will be thoroughly entertaining with likely favourite Mr Master Starter – who turned in an impressive display on his poly debut – handing chunks of weight to hard knockers and specialists alike while dropping in distance. It could pave the way for Proud Master to win again at decent odds.
The latter, a well-bred individual, tried different tactics after an easy maiden win but gelding looked to have done the trick with him. He came from second last to win a sprint on the poly which is no mean feat. He did this after a rest and stripping fitter now, he could be even better. He could just go through the divisions now.
