With only 25% of the field having run in the past month, fitness could be key to the outcome of our first graded stakes feature of the new racing season at Turffontein today.
The R250 000 Gr3 Spring Spree Stakes is a 1200m handicap run on the draw-sensitive inside track and is a traditional season starting-point for many.
.Bold Eagle – ready to find his winning stride again (Pic – JC Photos)
Distance suited and very talented, the lightly raced Bold Eagle is the SP top-rated runner in the line-up and looks set to regain his 2yo salad days when he reeled off three wins from three starts – including a dual stakes strike. Now with the Geoff Woodruff yard, the obviously smart gelding has not won again in his seven subsequent starts. He did stay on well behind Singfonico at Turffontein nine weeks ago and could come up trumps running fresh with a handy galloping weight.
The Durban Merchants winner La Bella Mia is a speedy sort who found the weight-for-age terms of the Mercury Sprint a touch too much last time. She should enjoy this track and has the gate speed to challenge under the bang in-form Muzi Yeni.
Super-quick La Bella Mia has the gate speed to be dangerous (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
The Var entire Valbonne has drawn wide out and looks to have plenty to do.
The 2017 winner and former champion sprinter Will Pays has not won in over a year and looks to have it all to do from a wide draw on current form.
The very capable 6yo Zouaves comes off a break of 11 weeks and is at his best over slightly further.
The same applies to the rather enigmatic Doosra, whose wide draw is a deterrent. He has not run in 15 weeks.
A promising 3yo of last term, Russian Prince reeled off three smarts wins at the Vaal before chasing Gr1 winner Van Halen home in the Man O’War Sprint. He has been rested 12 weeks since pulling up lame after his last start at Greyville.
The very quick Down To Zero showed his typical speed last time when finishing under two lengths behind surprise winner Pretty Penny. He has a wide draw to overcome and is probably more effective over the shorter sprint.
A genuine and honest sort, Prince Of Kahal finally put it all together to register a sixth career win last time in a four horse field. A course and distance winner, he could prove to be the value in a tricky race.
Clever Guy ran on well to win an MR 96 Handicap over the Vaal 1200m last time out and while he has failed to feature at this track previously, could pay to include in bigger perms.
Social Order would ordinarily prefer a bit more ground to show his best form but has run on well over this trip and could prove to be a quartet kicker if he pitches up in the mood to race.
Now a 7yo, Angel’s Power is the fourth of the Azzie quartet and has a solid record in this race – with second cheques in 2016 and 2017, followed by a fourth placing behind Chimichuri Run last year. With a more favourable draw this time round, he could conceivably place again if things go his way.
Bella Mia has plenty of speed, but Bold Eagle could be the one to be with and find his winning act again. Prince Of Kahal looks the value.
Race 4 is the first leg of the R3 million Pick 6 – get your racecard here
