Mirage Drive goes all the way under Karl Zechner to win his return start on turf
There is no substitute for experience and Tyrone Zackey’s hardknocking 9yo Mirage Drive steps out for his 60th racetrack appearance at the Vaal today. The son of Kahal rattled the rafters at Turffontein recently when turning a grass gallop into an exotic bet knockout – and he could follow up.
Mirage Drive, who races these days in his trainer’s pink and orange silks, was returning from a nine month break and started unfancied at 4 to 1 when going from gun to tape to beat Tora Tora in the MR80 mile turf event.
Trainer Tyrone Zackey
The amiable Zackey said afterwards that as he wasn’t permitted to utilise Turffontein for grass gallops, he had used the race instead to bring his charge on.
It was the best bit of paid grasswork that Mirage Drive had done in his life and he comes in to the Thursday topliner full of confidence – and a length or three fitter.
He is likely to be ridden with more restraint in this 1800m Conditions Plate by Karl Zechner, but he has beaten better than he faces here.
De Kock Four
Mike De Kock threw punters a curved ball at last week’s Vaal topliner when Masnoon, the 40 to shot in his quartet, came through to win.
De Kock has once come to the party in numbers again and saddles three runners, with an upset a distinct possibility again.
His two 5yo course and distance winners are the proven sand campaigners. But neither are particularly consistent or reliable.
Guy From Dubai
Guy From Dubai ran a flat race last week when finishing over 9 lengths behind stablemate Masnoon.
He ran a much better race at his penultimate outing in handicap company when going down a quarter length to Roman Carnival.
Formula One
The Australian-bred Nigel Mansell was quite a boom youngster but after winning three quick races, he lost the plot and was rested.
His return run after a six month break was a dismal 26 length finish behind Captain Haddock – but that was on the short side and he was cramped. He can only strip a fitter horse here.
The beautifully bred Baahir was the only 3yo in the race and has been withdrawn,
Mike De Kock – saddles three runners
Royal Master ran on steadily at his last start in a lowly rated handicap when beaten just over two lengths by Counterstroke.
He also has his first run on the sand and is another unknown quantity who carries a handy galloping weight.
Another handily weighted runner is Wallace Tolmay’s Jet Master 5yo Africain, who has won 2 of his last 5 starts on the turf, and draws 1 here.
His earlier placed maiden efforts showed that he is no slouch on the sand and he certainly stays the trip.
Dominic Zaki’s Lavender Landscape has won 3 of his last 4 starts on the sand and will be partnered by Craig Zackey who returns from his representative appearance in Korea.
The son of Antonius Pius is asked to go 200m further after proving very effective over a mile and shows a good turn of foot on this surface.
Big Shot
All The Bids – topweight but place prospects
Another decent sand galloper is the Kruger trained Big Shot, who has also scored at 3 of his last 4 starts at the Vaal.
The son of A P Arrow steps up in class.
The Leon Erasmus-trained Wellesley is something of a mini course and distance specialist, having won twice over the track and trip.
He stepped up in class last time and failed to show, finishing over 13 lengths behind Master ‘n Commander.
Topweight All The Bids is always worth considering for the quartets, but disappointed last time when going down 3 lengths to new Flamingo staying hero Pontedera.
Open
It is an open looking race with chances to many – and the unknown sand quantities cloud the picture.
While the De Kock trio will also pose a serious threat, and Lavender Landscape loves the surface, Mirage Drive could prove the one to be with.
