Seasoned trainer Garth Puller looks to have a useful horse in his yard in the form of Winter Baron. The gelding hacked up on debut, surprising the stable a little. “It was a small field but he’s always shown that he’s got ability but I never thought that he wold win like that,” he surmised post-race.
“I said to Ant (Athandiwe Mgudlwa) give him a good experience, I don’t want the stick on him. He’s a quirky horse in the pens, we had to repass him and he goes in with a special halter. I looked at him in the parade ring and I though whoa, he’s on the big side. But he’s always had a good action. Unfortunately, the favourite came out this morning with a temperature, but this horse won well.”
The favourite that day was Slim Jannie. “I think we dodge a bullet,” commented Michael Roberts after the race, his charge winning comfortably next time out in a competitive field.
Winter Baron certainly looks progressive and likely to be at cramped odds in spite of having it all to do at the weights when he clashes with Sean Tarry’s runner Pyromaniac in the fifth race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. Pyromaniac he is very well in this basterdised Graduation Plate that has attracted only seven runners.
Pyromaniac has been contesting the Classics and has been racing over further but is the highest rated runner in the race and well weighted which could make up for the shorter trip where class could tell.
These two look the pick with Trivial Matter and Party Time in with money chances.
With KZN having hosted a plethora of race meetings so far this month and more to come, the province appears to be running out of horses given the dwindling field sizes.
Visiting trainers are starting to cash in including Mike de Kock who saddles Angelsea in the last who is one of the better bets on the card. She has only missed out on a cheque once in seven starts, that when tried in blinkers. Although, she has been expensive to follow she meets a modest field here and can finally make it home.
Her two biggest dangers could come from Duncan Howells who saddles Natasha Rostov and Mythical Tune. Natasha Rostov tried gamely last run and stays the trip well while stable companion Mythical Tune improved nicely at second time of asking and there should not be much between the two as they met last time out.
A small field faces the starter in the first where Corsican boasts the best exposed form and he looks the best of those runners. He made his debut on the poly and showed up well at long odds. Sirens Of Silence took on feature runners last start after making a fair debut and is likely to make good improvement.
The second could rest between Great Times and Maccartney although Kilbrannan Sound also has a squeak. Great Times has solid Highveld sprint form and is overdue a win after four consecutive seconds. Maccartney is lightly raced and was close-up over course and distance last run. He is bred to stay much further but has a strong chance on a repeat showing while Kilbrannan Sound has been up against two smart performers in his only two starts. There doesn’t look to be anything that good in this field and he can surprise.
The third is a tricky maiden. There should be very little between Victory Belle and It’s She Bonny. When last they met the latter finished ahead of the former with a length between them at the line. Both are likely to improve. Stable companions Angelic Fort and Dapperfontein were up against each other with the former six lengths clear in third. However, Dapperfontein was badly hampered when making her run and should finish a lot closer. Both have winning chances.
With only seven runners carded for the fourth, pace is going to play a big part in the outcome. Mark Dixon saddles the consistent News Stream that steps up in trip and the blinkers come off. He has a handy weight and a good finishing burst which could be telling if the race turns into a sprint for home. The mare Keep On Dancing has been contesting features during Champions Season and not been too far off. She does her best on this course and has a strong chance. Platinum Sky is dropping in the handicap and is two points lower than his last start on this course. He stays the trip and can still improve while visiting trainer Fabian Habib, who had a winner at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday, sends out Youcanthurrylove that was narrowly beaten in a Pinnacle Stakes on the Highveld last run. He hardly ever runs a bad race and should go close again in a race where the field may be a good idea for exotic bets.
In the fifth, Her Royal Majesty and Candy For My Mommy meet again over course and distance, the latter getting home by a short head. Yogas Govender’s mare is 3kg better off taking into account the jockey sex allowance and should be able to turn the tables. Looking Hot looks pick of the balance as she has been consistent on the poly and the form of her last race has held up. She could pose a threat to the first two.
In the seventh, Arctic Tune takes a drop in class but has been consistent against stronger of late and looks set for a big run. Sea Master has finished second in all four outings since starting in blinkers. He steps up in trip again but should run another big race. With Pleasure benefitted from first time blinkers when winning his last outing and made steady improvement leading into that win. He can go in again.
