Punters looking for a jockey to follow at Turffontein’s Inside track on Saturday should keep Calvin Habib high on the shortlist. The experienced rider has three appealing opportunities on an eight-race Highveld card, and a hat-trick is a realistic proposition if the form holds.
Habib’s first assignment comes in Race 2 aboard Fanie Bronkhorst’s Bold Action, although stablemate Rosy Lemon may have the stronger betting credentials on recent evidence. She finished a solid second last time out from her current mark and brings reliable form into the contest.
Habib’s more likely chance of getting off the mark comes in Race 3, however, when lightly raced four-year-old Knowmore looks poised to make his presence felt. Alec Laird saddles two runners in the opening leg of the Pick 6, but the riding arrangements suggest Habib’s mount may be the stable’s preferred option.
A son of Fire Away, Knowmore opened his account over this course and distance last season and has acquitted himself well in three subsequent attempts over the same trip, despite racing off a higher mark. He stayed on purposefully from the rear when fourth last time behind a well-handicapped older rival and does not need to improve significantly to fight out the finish off a career-low rating from gate No 1.
Habib’s second strong winning chance comes in Race 5, where Clinton Binda’s Whatsdamatterwithu could prove particularly well suited by the return to a more favourable course-and-distance setup. The three-year-old son of Fire Away boasts an excellent record with Habib, having won twice and finished third twice in four starts with the rider aboard. Both victories came over 1160m, making the step up from 1000m to 1200m look more like an opportunity than a concern. Gate 1 again enhances his claims.
The runner capable of turning Habib’s treble into a serious betting result is Bright And Brazen in Race 7. Robyn Klaasen’s speedy four-year-old filly returns to 1200m, the course and distance over which she registered back-to-back victories before finishing a commendable third in last month’s feature. Habib partnered her that day and retains the ride.
Her penultimate start over 1000m can readily be forgiven, particularly in light of how well she performed when returned to this trip in the feature. She is also joint-best weighted on official ratings, giving her a compelling profile from a betting perspective and making her arguably the most interesting leg of the three.
Habib has no ride in Races 4 and 6, but that may ultimately be an advantage. Rather than being diluted by a book full of speculative mounts, his three rides all have credible winning prospects. Knowmore looks the banker material, Whatsdamatterwithu the progressive alternative and Bright And Brazen the value play to complete the treble.
Clive Robinson
