With Champions Season on the horizon trainers are starting to take the wraps off their potential feature race contenders. One of these is Ocean Time.
Michael Roberts pitted his charge against the best of his generation last season but the gelding has not been out since late June last year. He garnered a lofty 94 handicap rating which puts Roberts in a tight situation trying to find suitable races. But he has to start somewhere and Ocean Time runs on the poly in a MR 90 handicap at Hollywoodbets Greyville next Wednesday.
But his presences is to the benefit of Justaguything. Gareth van Zyl’s runner has excellent recent form on the poly and comes from a much in form yard. He has a handy weight courtesy of the presence of Ocean Time. Vaughan Marshall sends out the grey Voldemort who has some useful Western Cape form in strong company and also comes in with a handy galloping weight.
In the first Cotton Ron is way over due a maiden win. He meets little of note here and will never get a better chance as he has his second run for Louis Goosen. African Twilight made marked improvement last run for Clinton Binda whose horses generally do well on the poly. This is only his third start and is one to watch in the market. Tiennie Prinsloo’s runner Baazigar comes off a lengthy break but showed up well on debut. The stable has found some form so he must have a chance in a modest line-up.
Spring Kiss won first up on arrival from Cape Town and the Andre Nel yard has hit form with a vengeance. The filly got a hefty rating first up in a handicap but is lightly raced and looks progressive enough to win the second. Lola Crawford’s mare put in two cracking efforts after returning from a break and goes well over course and distance. She will be a big threat to the selection. Michael Roberts sends out two lively contenders in Lunar Eclipse and Fabulous. The latter is still improving but Rachel Venniker is tied to owner Nick Jonsson and Lunar Eclipse may prove to be the better option after taking on much stronger last time out. Morgan La Fay took full advantage of a drop in class last outing and is up in class with a penalty.
Dontstopmenow is lightly raced and has been close-up in his last two. He should be the one to beat in the third. Tommy The Kid has been consistent and was a close-up second last run. Winner, Jonny’s Hope has gone on to win again so he could finally get off the mark in his 22nd start.
The Nel yard with Byron Forster at the helm in his KZN yard look set for a good afternoon as they send out Warrior Bling in the fourth. Warrior Bling may just have needed his last run after making his KZN debut and meets Caesure on the same terms with a neck in it when last they met. Warrior Bling makes his poly debut and with a run under his girth he should be able to turn the tables. Pirate Prince is lightly raced and has rocketed up the ratings. He takes on stronger here but both his wins have been on the poly and he is still on the up which puts him in with a strong chance.
Cataleya Summer goes very well on the poly and was a comfortable winner last start. She only took a three-point rise in the handicap but Glen Kotzen’s filly has a definite chance in a tricky handicap. The Forster and Nel team saddle Everglades who makes her local debut. She made marked improvement on the Fairview poly at her penultimate start and with a handy galloping weight comes strongly into the picture. Bay Breeze is comfortable over course and distance and has not been far behind in recent starts. She has been a beaten favourite at her last three and can make amends.
Whory Whory is long in the tooth but Clinton Binda’s solder has been nothing but honest as he lines up for the 76th time in his career in the last. Older horses tend to take to the poly surface and he showed a return to form on the poly last time out in stronger company. He has a fair weight to shoulder but is nothing if not game. Guiseppi’s Song has his third run after a break and has been runner-up in his first two. He drops in class and trip and with the stable in good form he cannot be left out of any calculations. Former top rider now trainer Weichong Marwing had his first winner in KZN when Twosidesofastory took to the poly and won well over course and distance. He was close-up on his return to the Highveld so is in a good space. Action Stations was a beaten favourite last run. He has been holding form and has a money chance.
