Wolf Power was one of the best horses to run in South Africa and his successes were recently recalled when his trainer, Ricky Maingard, returned to train in the country and won the Grade 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate with Al Muthana.
This year, the Listed race named in his honour, The Wolf Power 1600 on the Standside track at Turffontein on Sunday, looks wide open and there are many with chances.
One can make a case for almost all of the 13 runners but perhaps the best value could lie with Savannah Storm, despite a wide draw.
Trained by Phillip Vermeulen, this six-year-old gelding puts himself into the picture thanks to a promising 1.10-length third behind Platinum Sky last time over this course and distance. Sean Tarry’s charge has been in good form since having been gelded.
When they meet this time Savannah Storm will be 1.5kg better off. Add to that the fact this Sudden Storm gelding suffered interference coming out of the gate last time and will have just 53kg on his back, he could pick up his second Listed feature and his first in since March 2021 when he won the Drum Star Handicap.
After being off form for a while, a tongue-tie was fitted three runs back and that seems to have rejuvenated the son of Sudden Storm.
Ryan Munger has ridden his in his last four starts and this time he will have to negotiate No 13 draw.
Johan Janse van Vuuren has his yard in top for and one cannot ignore the chances of Second Base and Outofthedarkness. Second Base has been running against a lot stronger so this is a slight drop in class for him.
Chase Maujean takes the ride this time and he has a good record on this son of Gimmethegreenlight. He has ridden Second Base five times for two wins and three places.
However, Gavin Lerena has stayed with Outofthedarkness who won a good race last time when beating Humdinger in a Pinnacle Stakes.
Other than Platinum Sky, Tarry also sends out Pyromaniac and Paisley Park. The latter is of particular interest as he bounced back to form last time when blinkers were fitted for the first time.
Any further improvement could see this five-year-old gelding pay another visit to the winner’s enclosure.
Clive Robinson
