Big Runner. Wendy Whitehead’s consistent Island Fiesta looks the right one
on paper
Ashburton trainer Duncan Howells has registered a winning double at the two recent Scottsville meetings and is gradually hitting top form in the build up to Champions Season.
He sends out the classy Strike Smartly colt One Cool Dude in the topliner at Clairwood on Wednesday. The 4yo is running over a distance short of his best but could well give the seasoned sprinters a fright.
Howells has previously declared that Clairwood is his favourite South African racetrack and he would probably have preferred to be taking this opposition on over a mile, rather than the straight 1200m.
Starting Out
But One Cool Dude no doubt has bigger fish to fry in the coming months though and this topweighted outing in the R98 000 Racing To Save The Rhino Handicap will serve as a first step on his Champions Season path, after his return from a mixed fortune trip to Cape Town.
He won his first start in the Cape but then ran out of steam late when looking dangerous and running fifth and only 3,75 lengths behind the brilliant Master Of My Fate in the Gr2 Premier Trophy. He returns from a rest of 11 weeks and running fresh could come up on the established sprinters. One Cool Dude will have to be on his toes though to get to two of the most consistent sprint handicappers in the holiday province.
Consistent Duo
They are Wendy Whitehead’s Island Fiesta and Garth Puller’s Midnight Run, who do not know how to run a bad race between them. Island Fiesta is a lightly raced 5yo son of Miesque’s Approval who is surely way overdue to register his fifth win.
He has run second at his last two starts and now meets Midnight run on a 5kg advantage following his shading him behind the quality galloper Rio Carnival at the end of January over the course and distance. That run was followed by a solid effort when Island Fiesta was beaten a half length by the improved again Flyfirstclass at Scottsville three weeks ago.
Game
Midnight Run is a year younger than Island Fiesta and is something of a course and distance specialist. His weight disadvantage will not count in his favour but he will be ready to pounce should Island Fiesta fluff his lines. Midnight Run will be ridden by his regular pilot, Athandiwe Mgudlwa.
Tough Ask
Duncan Howells also saddles the Mogok gelding Guantanamera who returned from a break when slow away and just under four lengths behind Piano Man at Scottsville last week. Guantanamera has not won since November 2012 but is coming down the handicap steadily and is bound to find his niche again at any time.
Dennis Drier and Sean Cormack team up with another Miesque’s Approval gelding in the twice winning Panama Man. He last won in June when beating Showmetheway over the course and distance and showed up well for place cheques in two subsequent high ranking handicaps. His last run was poor when he ran handily but finished almost fourteen lengths behind the smart Distinguished over 1450m. He is likely to improve fitness wise and he no doubt prefers the straight sprint course.
Uphill Battle
Michael Roberts’ Mike’s Choice is a seasoned sprinter who may be past his best but is capable of running into the money. The Adam Kethro trained Romantic Balladeer carries a paperweight thanks to the apprentice claim but is in under sufferance and does not look likely of challenging the classier sorts.
First Choice
It is said that the smaller the field the bigger the upset, and backers may want to go wide in a tricky c ontest. Island Fiesta looks the right horse on paper but we have suggested that there are a couple capable of rolling him over.
Midnight Run has a tough task but he is consistent and has a huge heart, and will be right there. One C ool Dude could be the value and he will enjoy the guaranteed fast pace off which he will be running on late.
