Joe Pike - a mile looks to be his distance
MR 96 Handicap over 1400m at Greyville on Tuesday night
Main event of the night meeting at Greyville on Tuesday is the final race on the card, the MR 96 handicap over 1400m. A dozen runners have been declared for what looks a highly competitive affair. Not only because of the continued Delpech/Marcus championship duel, but also because of a handful of very closely rated competitors and the prospects of a fast run race. And yes, the draw may well play a role, too, writes KAREL MIEDEMA.
Top-rated with us is bottom weighted Old Mac Donald, a 3yo who showed good promise earlier in his career. He was considered good enough to be entered for the Golden Horse, the Gr1 for 2yo’s run early in July, but didn’t shape when reported as not striding out. Soundness issues have haunted him since. He was scratched, reportedly lame in front, in December and May, and his last run was in December. Race fitness is a question mark, as is his wide drawn and apprentice ridden – it all points at needing this run. Still, class can overcome hurdles and it would be wise to take him seriously despite all the negatives. He was an MR 90 and races here off an 82, an apparent courtesy of the ‘special’ SA handicapping rules.
Joe Pike scored a narrow win over this course and distance in June, in what may have been a career-best rating. The Modern Day gelding has now won two of his last four starts, and finished within two lengths of the winner the other two times, all in handicaps. A mile looks to be his distance and the handicapper may not yet have got to the bottom of him yet.
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Casey da Lady was reported not striding out at her last start, but had shown good form prior to that at this track. Her penultimate run, when apprentice ridden, was especially noteworthy. She gets reunited with jockey Randolph here and ought to give a good account of herself. Assuming, of course, that she has recovered from her last mishap and is fully fit.
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Mon Signor had good form during last year’s KZN winter season. Off course from December to April, he ran indifferently in Gauteng on two occasions, but showed he was back to best at his last two starts, both over a mile. His most recent one was a win, after which the handicapper put up his rating, but it is still below what it was last year. He should go well with his capable apprentice.
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Wild Type has shown consistent form since relocating from Gauteng in April, winning his most recent start over 1400m, which may be his best distance. He still looks well handicapped, and had a higher rating while racing in Gauteng.
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Our ratings show the horses mentioned to be ahead of the balance of the field, and the winner should come from one of the five.
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Of the rest, Choisir and Directorate make some appeal. Choisir ran a good race last week, making the pace in the race won by Kings Call in a close finish. The Argentinian import looks to be very well again, but the handicapper doesn’t give an inch and place may be the best he can hope for. Directorate had one run following a layoff from December to June, putting up a creditable effort. That was six weeks ago and presumably he’s ready now. With Fourie up he seems likely to employ his well-tried front running tactics. The handicapper may have to cut him some slack before he can win again, though.
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Anton Marcus takes the ride on Forecastle, who hasn’t raced since February. He had good form at this time last year, when employing front running tactics. He was lame in October last year, and has raced only twice since then. All depends on how fit he is.
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Rival Delpech is on Maliyakhe, who arrived from the Cape in May and has sprinted four times since then. He hasn’t given the impression to be in top form for a 1400m test yet and looks to have his work cut out, even with his slightly reduced merit rating.
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There are a dozen starters in the 1400m race on this tight bend, and with several natural front runners in the line-up, this should be a fast run race and a true contest. Not an easy task to select a likely winner, with all of Joe Pike. Mon Signor, Casey da Lady and Wild Type in the picture, and Old Mac Donald a dark horse. We stick our neck out with Joe – so get your Pike on!
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