The only factor that appears likely to explain the defeat of Sharapova at Turffontein on 12 August was the lack of a run.
The Mike de Kock-trained daughter of Querari was coming back from a break of four months and was just touched off by I Am Regal in a race over 1400m on the Turffontein Standside track.
She gets a chance to atone for that defeat when she lines up in Race 6 at Turffontein on Tuesday in a MR 89 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1450m, but this time on the Inside track.
Sharapova is beautifully bred as her dam, Nother Russia, was a two-time Grade 1 winner and her Granddam, Mother Russia, beat some of the best milers in the country when winning the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.
At this stage of her career Sharapova has not shown quite the same level of flair as her mother and grandmother but while lightly raced, she has been ultra-consistent.
The four-year-old has only run six times for just one win, but she has also had four seconds and a third place, so she has been earning her keep.
It is also worth noting that her lone win was in her only race over this course and distance so the return to the Inside track is in her favour.
JP van der Merwe rode her for the first time in her last start and he is back on board for this event. They will jump from No 4 draw but there are only six runners in the field. Although he received a 1.5kg penalty for her last race, Sharapova will carry just 54kg and that makes her highly competitive.
The main threat looks likely to come from Rattle Bag who is also in good form currently. Trained by Gary Maroun, this five-year-old Bezrin mare is a three-time winner from 30 starts but she does have a couple of things in her favour. One of those victories was over this course and distance and she also has built up an excellent rapport with apprentice Philasande Mxoli.
He has ridden her five times for two wins, one second and one third and he will be taking the ride yet again.
Rattle Bag will carry 53kg and will jump from No 1 draw.
Clive Robinson
