The Highveld’s nine-race fixture on Turffontein’s Inside track on Thursday 19 February is compact, competitive and relatively light on guesswork. On paper, it revolves around three riders: Craig Zackey, Gavin Lerena and Keagan de Melo. Between them, they should account for the bulk of the card.
Lerena and Zackey hold the early aces, and it may be Lerena who strikes first. Battleground in Race 1 over 2600m looks primed to capitalise on a workable mark. The Lucky Houdalakis-trained son of Futura has been holding his own in stronger company, finishing a close-up third over 2000m on Vaal’s Classic track before another solid runner-up effort over 2400m on Turffontein’s Standside track – performances that read well in this context. Back on the Inside track against slightly lesser opposition, he gets his chance.
Zackey should respond immediately in Race 2 over 1600m aboard Galaxy Queen for Sean Tarry. The Declarationofpeace filly has found the frame in all four starts and was a career-best second last time. First-time blinkers suggest intent. She has the form, the draw and the right rider, so this looks like her breakthrough moment.
Race 3, over 1600m, presents Lerena with another live chance on Gimmethespotlight. The Gimmethegreenlight gelding improved sharply from a promising debut fourth over 1400m to finish fast for second over 1600m after a break. With natural progression in just his third start, he sets a solid standard and appeals as one to keep on side before the handicapper catches up.
The Zackey-Lerena duel could be level again by Race 4 (1450m) where Pressonregardless brings Listed-winning form into play. He shoulders a penalty for his Wolf Power 1600 success under Zackey, but David Nieuwenhuizen’s Lancaster Bomber gelding is in the zone and proven over course and distance. A five-point rise is no gift, yet momentum counts for plenty around here.
Keagan de Melo enters the fray in Race 5 (1450m) and his mount Fostinovo looks a banker for many. Johan Janse van Vuuren’s Flower Alley gelding chased home the highly regarded Quickfreeze last time and now meets a similar field off the same mark. That form is strong for this level. If he reproduces it, he could go one better.
Van Vuuren and De Melo are poised to close out the meeting in Race 9 (2000m) with Force Publique. The well-related Querari gelding stayed on strongly to finish second over 1800m and shapes as though the extra 200m will suit. Cheekpieces go on, and improvement is expected. He’s the right type for the finale.
In between, the Zackey-Tarry axis is represented by Sakura Hanami in Race 6 (1200m). An authoritative last-start winner, she now makes her handicap debut. With further improvement on the cards, she ought to handle the rise in class, so she’s another that keeps Zackey firmly in the day’s narrative.
Clive Robinson
