Very Talented. In A Rush has the class and ability to win the Fever Tree
The return to action of the former Eastern Cape Champion Juvenile In A Rush adds plenty of interest to Sunday’s Greyville programme. Joey Ramsden’s 4yo clashes with eight opponents in the R100 000 Fever Tree Handicap over the 1400m trip, which should suit him well.
In A Rush opens his KwaZulu Natal campaign in this non black type feature after a largely disappointing Cape Summer Season , where he managed a third placing in his four outings.
His most recent run on J&B Met day saw him finish 12th behind shock winner The Plunderer. In A Rush was reported coughing there, so the run may be better than it appears.
This will be his second run at Greyville after a solid third behind Depardieu in the Thekwini Stakes on July day. He went on to win a mile race at Scottsville at his very next start, and the 1400m should be right up his alley. Sean Cormack won on him at Scottsville and he will be aboard again.
The very consistent Always Al is always a consideration, and Kevin Shea stays with him again.
The son of Al Mufti has won 7 of his 27 starts and went down narrowly over the course and distance to Distinguished, who runs here.
Always There! Sean Tarry’s gelding Always Al is consistent and must be a danger
Always Al is a half kilo better off with Distinguished, and there should be little between them.
Distinguished in fact goes for a hat trick after winning his novice by a runaway margin at his penultimate start. Anthony Delpech will no doubt have a plan from the 8 draw.
His stablemate Unannounced will be ridden by Anton Marcus, and jumps from the 1 draw.
The Australian bred son of Snitzel won his first six races on the trot, but has fallen off his pedestal.
He was reported lame at his run last Sunday at Scottsville, and it will take a brave man to have a punt on him here, despite the obvious ticks in some of his boxes.
Colin Scott sends out the Dynasty gelding Fourth Estate.
The KZN 1600 winner has always been highly thought of and has won 5 of his 24 starts. While probably morecomfortable at the mile, he has a serious chance of completing his hat trick from the 2 draw.
Gauteng runner Living With Heart is the only 3yo in the race.
The son of Spectrum is now with Tony Rivalland, after starting out with Paul Peter and he looks very promising indeed. A winner of 3 of his 6 starts, he ran a fair race in The Dingaans when finishing 6 lengths behind the ill-fated The Hangman.
Living With Heart has not run for ten weeks, and should be concerned in the finish, if not needing the run.
The remaining three runners look are outside contenders.
Alec Laird’s Sidestep has shown flashes of ability.
He was beaten 4.65 lengths by Distinguished over the course and distance at his last outing, where he gave the Laird horse 5,5 kgs.
Sidestep is now 4, 5kgs better off thanks to apprentice Bryan Classen’s claim and that on paper is a winning turnaround. Conclusion is then that if we fancy Distinguished, Sidestep comes into the picture.
he Frank Robinson trained Bay Route has lost his form at his recent starts and returns after a two month rest following a flat effort in the Christmas Handicap.
Yadev Singh sends out the seven time winning Kitalpha gelding Moroccan, whose recent form has also tapered negatively.
Always Al is a fit horse and at his best over the trip. He is a narrow selection to beat In A Rush and Distinguished.
