Desirable. The Leon Erasmus-trained Mogok’s Desire is the only 3yo in the Lightning Stakes field
Trainer Leon Erasmus and jockey Sherman Brown are an underrated powerful combination who regularly dent reputations and spoil the party for the bigger yards. They team up in the Lightning Stakes over 1000m on the Vaal sand on Tuesday with the impeccably consistent and promising 3yo Mogok’s Desire.
Action reverts to the Vaal sand on Tuesday, with the national focus centred down South on the J&B Met week.
There is plenty to enjoy for those not travelling though, with two generously endowed non black-type features highlighting a complex looking eight-race programme at the Vereeniging track.
Survivors
After surviving a contentious and seemingly frivolous objection at last Tuesday evening’s Turffontein meeting, the Erasmus-Brown combination will be looking to bank the R78 125 first cheque without any drama for longstanding owner Ivan Snyman.
It was in fact the very same red and white Snyman silks that were carried by Virtuosity to a terrific win that was dampened somewhat by an objection out of the blue.
Brown and Erasmus appeared unfazed and it all ended well though.
As the only 3yo in this sprint, Mogok’s Desire genuinely appears to be the only runner with any upward scope in this field.
Brownie Points
A winner of 3 of 12 starts, he has been partnered at 11 of those by Brown, who has struck a comforting rapport with him.
It should also be noted that Mogok’s Desire has contested a good few features along the way and has only been off the board once in his life. That was when running sixth and 7,75 lengths behind Soft Falling Rain in the SA Nursery on Champions Day 2012.
We all know what Soft Falling Rain did at Meydan last week!
Mogok’s Desire has only run thrice on the sand, and after winning his sand debut over the course and distance by a mile, he was placed at both his two subsequent sand starts. That included a well beaten second in the Sophomore by that good sort, Contador.
Erasmus also sends out Benbow, who as a 5yo has his 51st career outing. The son of Bezrin is a hard knocker who has marginally lost form recently. He may snatch a place cheque at best.
Classy. Sean Tarry’s Polar Moon looks a big runner in the Lighting Stakes
Moon Watch
Sean Tarry’s Polar Moon is a talented 6yo who has had his problems along the way.
The six-time winning son of Victory Moon was found wanting on the turf in the Gr3 Lebelo Sprint last time, but won two starts previous to that over this course and distance. He may be held by Hang Fire on that run, but is worth considering and has a touch of class and serious ability, if well.
Louis Goosen’s Tiger Ride gelding Boss Cat is an out and out sand surface specialist, who has chalked up wins at his last two starts. Those were both under Piere Strydom, and with the master not riding today, Chase Maujean steps into the hot seat.
But, and it’s a big but, Boss Cat has not seen action for over eight months. His fitness may thus be questionable.
Rested. Will Boss Cat be fit enough to maintain his consistent formline?
Purring
Boss Cat’s penultimate victory in a strong handicap over the course and distance was impressive, and the betting may be the best guide to his wellbeing and fitness on the day.
Brett Webber’s Argentinian-bred Hang Fire is something of a course and distance specialist who relocated from Durban as a formless maiden in March last year. He went on to rattle up a hat trick over the minimum trip on the sand by a combined margin of 14,50 lengths at his first three Vaal starts.
He followed that up with two good places – the last a 0,25 length third to Polar Moon in a Conditions Plate.
Hang Fire may have the upper hand with Polar Moon, whom he meets on 2kgs better terms than that last narrow defeat.
We can put a line through his last outing, when Hang Fire lost jockey Fransie Naude at the start and did not participate.
Coupled
Kum Naidoo’s coupling will warrant consideration by Pick 6 players.
The 7yo Napoleon Dynamite was backed at his last outing when running on strongly over the 1200m at this track a fortnight ago.
He was beaten there by a genius Strydom ride on Crown Gold, and that one franked the form going down narrowly to Virtuosity on Tuesday night. Some will say unluckily!
Napoleon Dynamite has only registered 1 of his 7 wins on the sand, but is a versatile old campaigner who seldom runs a bad race. He holds Benbow on their last meeting, and takes Commissionerstreet on with a seven kg reversal for a twelve length beating in that race.
His lightly-raced 5yo stablemate Ampere is the unknown quantity in the race and has his first run on this surface.
A one time winner, the son of Jallad has run two fair places on the turf at his last two outings, and could be a factor if adapting to the sand.
Inconsistent
The 7yo gelding El Cielo is a course and distance winner, who appears rather inconsistent.
He was well beaten at Flamingo Park last time out when going down 8,75 lengths to the very smart local, Zezinho Belo. But he did win three starts back over the Vaal 1200m in an MR 77 Handicap. El Cielo showed great fight and courage in the hands of Piere Strydom when holding Nice Stride to 0,75 lengths in very soft going
Paul Matchett’s Commissionerstreet runs with only 48kgs on his back, courtesy of his 4kg claiming apprentice, but is in a form slump of note and has shown nothing for ages. He should be run off his feet against this lot.
Desirable
There should be little in it, but Mogok’s Desire could be the right choice to secure the winner’s cheque.
Polar Moon and Hang Fire may give him some cheek, while Boss Cat is talented but should need a run or two to find his fitness.
• The R125 000 non black type Summer Speedsters supports the Lightning Stakes on the eight race programme and will be run for the fillies and mares over 1000m.
The twelve-time winning 6yo Kahal mare Mannequin heads the weights in a competitive ten horse field.
