Trainer Sharon Kotzen has done very well since taking out her licence and she must be really proud with what she has done with filly And We Danced.
The Parhfork filly arrived in her care a modest 72 rated three-year-old and one-time winner and since then Kotzen has got six wins out of her, with the last five coming successively.
Jockey Louie Mxothwa knows how to get the best out of her and will need to be at the top of his game in Race 2, a Conditions Plate for fillies and mares over 1600m on the turf, as rival Belle Of Belize is well weighted to turn around the head that separated them the last time they met as there is a 3.5kg swing.
Trainer Alan Greeff’s up-and-down season continues and Belle Of Belize has just one win to show for her four starts under his care.
Although weighted to get the better of And We Danced this time, a close look at the form suggests And We Danced has the better fighting spirit, having won a couple of tight finishes, while Belle Of Belize tends to lose her close tussles.
Race 4, a Pinnacle Stakes over 2700m, is another event to which Greeff will be looking forward as he will be hoping Barak returns to his best form and capsizes rival Gavin Smith’s pair of Jaeger Moon and Peace In Our World.
Barak has tasted defeat twice to rival in this Jacob’s Ladder but the further he goes the better for Barak as his win over 3200m proved last season, and this 2700m will bring out the best in this Master Of My Fate gelding.
There has also not been too much between Jaeger Moon and Peace In Our World and both hold winning chances.
Jaeger Moon has not won for some time but in this small field his start-to-finish tactics could pay off.
Peace In Our World was threatening to win again but put in a disappointing effort last time out.
He is clearly better than that run would suggest and will be doing his best work at the finish.
Jacob’s Ladder is unreliable, but he is also capable of winning and deserves respect. Magnum Fire is capable of a strong finish when in the mood and should like this distance.
Smith has his unbeaten Cherry Ano stepping out in Race 6, a MR 68 Handicap over 1600m, and he looks likely to pull off a hat-trick of victories as he has looked good so far.
Clive Robinson
