The classy Kingvoldt has his opening KZN start
The Joey Ramsden mean machine was in devastating form at Kenilworth on Easter Monday and the former Cape champion trainer can secure an early 2015 KZN feature success on his maiden Summerveld sojourn. He saddles the classy Western Winter colt Kingvoldt in this evening’s R200 000 Gr3 Byerley Turk.
This race was run at Scottsville in bygone years and whatever the reason for the switch to Greyville, the past weekend’s uproar regarding the abandonment of meetings at that track are confirmation that the move could be a positive one.
Kingvoldt
Joey Ramsden – is bang in form
Anton Marcus is behind the Kingvoldt wheel for the first time and there is plenty like about the MR 111 rated Western Winter colt.
A high-class stakes winning 2yo, he has languished in the shadow of his champion stablemate Act P War for much of his 3yo term. But his minor lengths behind in races like the Selangor, the Guineas and the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate suggests that there is every reason he will put this lot to bed early.
He ran a cracking sprint 6 weeks ago when just beaten by the capable Gulf Storm and he should be perfectly suited to this test – albeit his first on a right-handed track.
Local Challenge
Easy Lover returns from Gauteng
The locals are much better represented here than in the Umzimkhulu Stakes and KZN Champion trainer Duncan Howells saddles Easy Lover and Kings Archer.
Easy Lover returns to home base after a three run Gauteng trip, where he was not disgraced, with two decent placed efforts.
He had won 3 of his 7 starts before migrating North, and looks a high-quality son of Right Approach who could give the Capetonian most to think about.
Kings Archer is drawn against the paint and is a very consistent son of A P Arrow. A one-time winner, he has shown some good ability on both surfaces and while modestly rated at 83, could find a quartet back-end if things go his way.
Snaith In Town
Justin Snaith – saddles Jackson’s brother
Jackson’s lightly-raced younger brother Heartland has his first run in KZN.
Justin Snaith’s Highlands Stud bred galloper is a winner of 2 of his 5 starts and may have needed it last time when outrun by the older Mister Matchett in an MR 95 Handicap at Kenilworth.
If one goes back to his debut, he won first time by 9,75 lengths and then ran a fair third behind Act Of War in the Cape Classic, when still green and finding his feet.
He has been brought along slowly and is known to be very highly thought of. If anywhere near ready, he will be a serious challenger.
Delpech
The Australian-bred Highway Explorer is an interesting ride for form jockey Anthony Delpech.
The son of Mossman is yet to run out of the money in six starts and while yet untried at feature level, he may be ahead of his MR of 88 and could be worth considering on home turf.
He finished within 3 lengths of the progressive London Call (a winner again last Sunday) at his penultimate start and then went down narrowly at this course last time to Fortissimo. He had a hard race there(his rider was pulled up for whip abuse) and if this has not come too soon, he could be involved.
Bright Hope
Glen Kotzen’s Light The Lights – enjoyed his KZN stint last season
Glen Kotzen’s Light The Lights is the second of the Western Winter progeny.
The smart colt showed good form in his 2yo season in this province last year, but found the going much tougher in the Cape feature season.
He was tried in mixed weight for age company in the Green Point Stakes where he ran 6,55 lengths off Legislate.
He was then beaten 8 lengths by Act Of War in the Cape Guineas and was rested 15 weeks in the interim.
On his best Greyville feature form of last season he must have a chance of place money, but is likely to need a run or two to bring him to fitness.
Lost The Fizz
The fit Kiss Me Hardy has been off at his last two starts
Topweight Kiss Me Hardy is a decent sort on his day, but has lost some sparkle at his last two starts.
He appears a good few lengths better on the sand and was never in the hunt in the Man O’War Sprint when ten lengths behind Carry On Alice. His last win was in Kimberley and he cannot be fancied here.
Weiho Marwing’s Australian-bred Allenby Park registered his second win last time out when dead-heating with River Trip in an MR 74 Handicap on the Vaal 1400m straight.
He is a fellow who has shown a tendency towards in-and-out performances and is not well in if his official rating is accurate.
Class
The race should be a straight fight between Kingvoldt, Heartland and local boy Easy Lover.
The latter will have the benefit of the under the lights and right-handed turn experience required.
Kingvoldt is the choice as the Sporting Post top-rated to go in and open Ramsden’s KZN account.
