While most eyes of the racing world will be drawn to the Dubai World Cup meeting on Saturday 30 March, the standalone local meeting at Turffontein on the Inside track this weekend offers punters several attractive betting propositions to cash in on ahead of Meydan’s carnival climax.
And, as has been the case for much of this campaign, title-chaser Richard Fourie has been engaged to ride all three of them as he closes in on a maiden National Jockeys’ championship title and Anthony Delpech’s record (334) of wins in a season.
Roy Magner-trained Theres A Light made an encouraging start to his career by finishing second over 1200m on debut back in September. He lost his way after that with three unplaced efforts, prompting connections to geld this son of Querari.
And that decision has benefited well-bred Theres A Light who has subsequently recaptured his form and confirmed early promise with consecutive runners-up finishes over 1200m under Piere Strydom and, more recently, was only touched off over 1400m with Gavin Lerena aboard.
Fourie rides Magner’s charge for the first time in Race 4, a Maiden Plate over 1450m, and is likely to go one better aboard this maturing three-year-old gelding who should, in a contest that is devoid of pace, find the lead easily from gate No 1 and have his own way in front which will make him hard to beat.
Progressive Mid Winter Wind represents the formidable Fourie and Sean Tarry combination in Race 8 over 1200m and is good value to extend his winning streak for owner-breeder Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud.
This What A Winter gelding out of Grade 1 winner Lady In Black (by Dynasty) has – like the aforementioned Theres A Light – improved appreciably in his four starts as a gelding. He finished second over 1400m in his first start after being ‘cut’ and confirmed that progress by winning over 1200m and 1160m before completing his hat-trick under a three-point penalty with a 1400m success under Fourie five weeks ago.
With scope for further improvement from the lightly raced three-year-old, a further four-point rise is unlikely to prevent Mid Winter Wind from winning again and starting from a favourable No 1 stall also aids his cause.
A merit rating drop and an equipment change has brought about a change in fortune for Weichong Marwing inmate Run For Cover, who forms half of a strong stable coupling in Race 9, a MR 72 Handicap over 1450m.
This Erupt gelding finished a staying-on third over 1200m at this venue three starts back with blinkers fitted for the first time and confirmed that improvement by winning over 1450m at his next start, before maintaining his form and consistency under a resultant penalty with a creditable fourth over 1600m on 14 March.
A return to 1450m with Fourie booked for the ride bodes well for his chances, so Run For Cover could have the bookies doing as his name suggests with bettors looking to fill their pockets ahead of DWC night.
Clive Robinson
