Competitive racing on the go with an 8-race programme to satiate horseplayers at Turffontein on the Inside track this Thursday.
Father and son team of Mike and Matthew De Kock have two with solid chances. Corrupt could be the winning stayer of his heat while Staggerwing can follow up over the minimum distance in the last.
Corrupt took a while to get back to winning ways but now that he has, he can notch up more wins for his in-form yard. The gelded son of Erupt is facing a slightly lower grade in Race 3 after winning an MR96 handicap when dropping to a merit rating of 81 last time.
He has gone up only 3 points in merit ratings and is only 2kg worse off with stalwart stayer Battleground who finished 4.30-lengths behind him and who should again have his work cut out. Corrupt is ridden by leading rider Keagan De Melo and jumps from a favourable barrier of draw two.
Staggerwing, a filly by Rafeef out of a Var mare, was always going to have plenty of speed but she has also shown she can mix it with some of the best around. She finished runner-up to precocious filly Get Up who recently captured the Grade 2 Alan Robertson in style and she was also fourth placed in the Ruffian Stakes behind another high-class sort in Secretary Bird.
It was no surprise to see her run out an easy winner of her maiden last time, but she can also follow up on her handicap debut in Race 8 where she meets some hard knocking but mostly exposed individuals. Ridden by stable rider Callan Murray the two-year-old has a slightly wide gate but her running style suggests she can get there especially against the type of company she meets.
One for the exactas must be Power Of Pearls who was a gallant third at this track with a scalp wound last time. She has drawn better than she did in her last start and has talented 1.5kg claiming Mickaelle Michelle in the irons again.
For a bit of value, it could be worth following both Nicolson Landing and Destiny’s Dream in Race 2 especially in bets like swingers, exactas and trifectas. The pair may not be fancied as both have drawn a bit wide but likely favourite Knockin’ Boots has also drawn wide.
Knockin’ Boots certainly has scope but she is a two-year-old and she may have her work cut out against her elders over 1450m at this stage in her career. Nicolson Landing and Destiny’s Dream are well weighted off their current ratings and could take advantage. However, it is the former that could bag a win after she was only beaten a neck after coming from well off the pace over the distance last time.
Apostrophe (Race 5) is another runner with plenty in her favour including a plum draw. She has an eachway shout.
Clive Robinson
