Badger Lake was an impressive winner of his penultimate outing.
MR92 Handicap over 2000m at Turffontein on Tuesday night
With the night racing season now in full swing we have another very busy program in midweek. A MR92 Handicap over 2000m tops the bill on Tuesday night’s card and plenty have chances, writes Steve Furnish.
Shouldering top weight is the once highly regarded Echohawk. Laid off for thirteen months after finishing third to Pierre Jourdan in the Tony Ruffel Stakes back in Feb’ 10, Dominic Zaki’s charge battled to find his best on his return. Indeed, prior to stealing a similar event last time out, he had gone thirteen outings without a win. It could be that Echohawk is coming back to best. He was allowed a very soft lead in that latest outing though and having been penalized seven points by the handicapper, he won’t find this so easy.
Masai Warrior
A model of consistency, this son of Wolfhound has been at the top of his game since returning from a six month break in October, winning two of his five starts. He won with authority when beating another ultra consistent performer in Radiant Rock over 1800m last time out and having already proven to be effective over today’s distance he should be involved again.
Tara’s Son
The biggest of the three couplings in this event is that of Ormond Ferraris who saddles all of Tara’s Son, Blue Horizon Bay and Captain Butler.
Tara’s Son progressed quickly after returning from an eleven month layoff in Oct’ 10 and when he won the Sea Cottage Stakes three months later it looked as if he would go on to better things. His form since has been a little in and out though and interestingly, despite gaining his two wins over 1800m, he is yet to finish better than fifth in four starts over today’s distance.
Blue Horizon Bay
After winning his post maiden start by three, the lightly raced Blue Horizon Bay ran the useful Not Liable to a length and three quarters in graduation company and at that stage of his career was showing plenty of promise. He was reported as lame on the near fore when finishing down field next time out though and in his only subsequent outing he was also unsighted. He returns from a six month break here and is perhaps best just watched for now.
Captain Butler
Usually seen out over a tad shorter, the consistent Captain Butler rarely misses the frame and he did win his only previous start over today’s course and distance. He will no doubt have needed the outing when a four length fifth to Masai Warrior on his return from a five month break last time out, and sure to strip fitter here, he could on the day, prove to be the best runner from the stable.
Badger Lake
Formerly with Joey Ramsden in the Western Cape, Badger Lake won four of his first nine starts and at that stage of his career was looking destined for much better things. Amazingly, he was unable to finish better than sixth in his first five starts after arriving in Gauteng, but he did then suddenly come good when winning a MR85 Handicap over today’s distance at the Vaal in impressive fashion in his penultimate outing. He had excuses, as with the rest of the field, having found himself with too much to do when beaten by Echohawk last time out and could well get back on the winning trail here.
Dunraven
As well as the promising Badger Lake, globetrotter Mike De Kock is also represented by the former Natal campaigner Dunraven. He won well over 2200m on the inner track in October and was far from disgraced when stepping up in class to contest the Java Handicap in his penultimate start. His latest outing can be ignored as he lost his jockey at the 1800m marker. He could pop up.
Chico Azul
A powerful frontrunner on his day, the veteran Chico Azul would have a shout here on best form. Geoff Woodruff’s charge is without a win in 21 starts now though and having failed to get within twelve lengths of a winner in each of his last three outings, he is not easy to fancy.
Royal Arrow
Much more likely to be a threat from the Woodruff stable is the Royal Academy gelding Royal Arrow. His form has been a little in and out since being reported as lame on the off hind when scratched from the July consolation, but he was running on at the death when finishing ahead of Badger Lake in that race won by Echohawk last time out.
Paintyourface
Roy Magner’s charge has some fair earlier form to his name and when winning by three over 1800m in April it looked as if further improvement would be forthcoming. He was laid off for six months after that effort though, and has failed to show in both starts since his return.
Silver Dice
The lightly raced Silver Dice won very well when finding good support over today’s distance at the Vaal last time out and having his third run after the rest here, he should now be at his peak. Silver Dice does take a big step up in class here, but he can still improve plenty and on that alone must hold some kind of a chance.
Beta
Sean Tarry’s charge caught the eye when running on strongly on his return from a six month break in October and fully deserved his win next time out. He failed to get in a blow when stepping up to this level in his subsequent outing, but he was only a length behind Badger Lake in that race won by Echohawk last time out.
Siciliano
This son of Captain Al runs on nicely on his day and could well be better than currently rated. Despite finding support on two occasions though, he’s been unable to get within twelve lengths of a winner in his last three outings.
About The Pace
With plenty of speed in the race a good pace looks assured. Badger Lake showed real promise earlier in his career and he couldn’t have been more impressive when winning his penultimate start. He had excuses last time out and could well regain winning ways here.
