With the shadows lengthening on an action-packed 2018, the R250 000 Gr3 Lebelo Sprint at Turffontein today enjoys the distinction of being the final feature event of the year.
Rivarine leave them trailing as he wns the Lebelo Sprint in 2016 (Pic – JC Photos)
The 1000m handicap has, not unexpectedly, attracted a field of low-flyers of all shapes and sizes.
Mike and Adam Azzie hold a strategic hand in the race with their coupling of Var’s past winner Rivarine and the super-quick Judpot colt, Down To Zero.
Rivarine’s dam River Jetez – 2010 Met winner
Rivarine, whose top-class Mum River Jetez won the 2010 J&B Met, has been imbued with much of his sire’s speed and has held his own in the top reaches of competition without eve really stamping his authority with consistency.
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A winner of this race in 2016, he ran another good race in the 2017 renewal when just 1,50 lengths off Mike de Kock’s Alfolk. After his very eyecatching Golden Loom Handicap victory over Saturday’s course and distance, he was quietly fancied to win the Merchants on Summer Cup day – but after showing some toe he fell away to finish closer to last and over 9 lengths off the winner, Africa Rising. In Rivarine’s defence he was reportedly fatigued after that race and will have been freshened up for Saturday. He certainly has the ability to win.
Piere Strydom – can get the best out of Down To Zero
Piere Strydom takes the ride on his stablemate Down To Zero, a speedy Judpot colt who showed plenty of toe in the Merchants and was not disgraced when sixth and 3 lengths off the winner. Strydom knows him well and is the master of the conservative ride on the pace. He must go into quartet calculations.
Paul Matchett’s fast filly Kissable comes in with a handy 52,5kgs and has maintained her formline well. She is 2kgs better off with Rivarine on their Golden Loom meeting where she ran 2,20 lengths off the Azzie gelding.
Roy Magner’s 7yo Isphan has his 66th run on Saturday and has been round the block a few times. The son of Tiger Ridge has not been far off the action since returning from a stint in the Eastern Cape – no doubt to escape the feature season here earlier in the year. A course and distance winner, he is another who has the capacity to run into the money.
Paul Peter – had done well with Rebel’s Champ(Pic – JC Photos)
Paul Peter’s Rebel’s Champ lumbers top weight and is one of the better Rebel King progeny around with 7 wins from his 19 starts. The 4yo is in a rich vein of form, having won 3 of his last 4 starts. He should be right on top of Rivarine on the Golden Loom collateral and can very definitely contest the finish.
Pure Blonde has been battling to regain his better for after winning last on 23 December last year. The son of Kahal should not be far off the action again and jockey Randall Simons is riding the crest of a wave.
Clever Guy seldom runs a bad race and caught the eye when running into the money in the Merchants on Summer Cup day behind Africa Rising. The son of Argonaut will be running at them late again and must have a shout on his best form.
Talktothestars – tumbled down the ratings
Former champion sprinter Talktothestars is a shadow of his former self but has tumbled from a career peak rating of 121 down to a substantially more humble 89. He has been tried over further recently without too much spark and is difficult to fancy on recent form.
Wrecking Ball always shows plenty of speed but has not won in close on a year and failed to flatter when beaten over 7 lengths in the Magnolia on Summer Cup day. He may need to improve a little bit.
Donny G will certainly strip fit after a busy campaign recently. He won three on the trot but was then outgunned on Summer Cup day when well beaten in the Merchants. There should not be too much between him and Rebel’s Champ on the weight turnaround after his last run.
Prince Of Kahal – will be staying on
Prince Of Kahal is probably better over marginally further than this but is in fine form, having won 3 of his last 4 starts with some authority. He was beaten 3,70 lengths by Rivarine in the Golden Loom and is a kilo worse off. If they don’t run him off his feet, he can find a cheque.
Great Shaka is the third of the Maroun trio and takes something of a step up in class after beating Copper Jay going away in an MR 86 Handicap over the course and distance last time out. This quick gelding gave Gr2 winner Purple Diamond 2,5kgs and ran him to a head over the course and distance at his penultimate start. With just 52kgs to lump, he may just think he is running without a jockey and could be dangerous if he gets away from them.
Louis Goosen Captain’s Girl has been withdrawn.
We are leaning towards Rivarine to come back to himself and put his best foot forward and hold off Kissable and Down To Zero. But it’s not straightforward so go wide in the Pick 6. Have a wonderful 2019!
