A rare double feature under the Turffontein lights this evening provides some welcome variation for punters.
Flashback – Girl On The Run wins the 2017 Victory Moon – another lady to win tonight?
After Girl On The Run’s sensational victory in the 2017 renewal, can the R400 000 Gr3 Victory Moon Stakes be fought out by two talented members of the fairer sex brigade again?
Fourteen of the fifteen runners are Summer Cup entries, with the exception being the SP top-rated Zouaves.
This 5yo son of Sail From Seattle tries the 1800m for the first time after a luckless second behind Tsitsikamma Dance in the Grand Series leg 2 last month. Racing from a nice draw with only 52kgs to shoulder, he is in prime form and a big effort is expected. While his dam only won at 1200m, his racing style suggests that he can be relaxed and turn it on late in proceedings.
.Takingthepeaqce – will strip ft
Mike De Kock has a two-pronged attack headed by last season’s very capable Triple Tiara bridesmaid Takingthepeace. With two nice runs under the belt as a 4yo – her last being a solid effort over the 1800m on the inside track, when giving weight and beaten under a length by the capable Fort Ember – she stays every inch of the trip and she will be running at them late.
Last season’s Gerald Rosenberg winner, Sabina’s Dynasty, has the major advantage of a rail draw and the value added skills from the cockpit of the master, Piere Strydom. The daughter of Dynasty has been edging back to her best form with two good placed efforts this term, and ran on really nicely when third behind Warfarer in the listed Michaelmas at Greyville last month.
Gr2 winner Sabina’s Dynasty – improving all the time
Ashley Fortune’s Cash Time has unfortunately pulled a wide draw and will need to improve on his three most recent runs, when showing pace but fading out. Highly regarded as a 3yo, he can be expected to start finding his better form as the season develops.
Anton Marcus is an interesting jockey booking for the 7yo Bulleting Home, who was beaten almost 6 lengths in the Charity Mile at his last start. His recent form suggests that he has some ground to make up to challenge, having last won in March 2017 on the Greyville polytrack.
Bulleting Home – last win on poly
Big race jockey Muzi Yeni takes the reins on the fast improving Gambado, a winner of his last four starts – his only unplaced effort was in the SA Derby – and a horse on the upgrade. He showed good resolve over the course and distance last time when beating the highly regarded The Rising Legend and comes in with a handy 52kg.
Now a 7yo, the classy Deo Juvente has shown good commitment at his first two starts this season – running on well from way off the gallop, as is his style. While he has not won for some time, he certainly has the ability to beat this field if on top of his game.
Gavin Lerena partners Arctica for Mike Azzie. The son of a Captain Al has maintained his form over an extended period and was under a length behind Coral Fever in the Charity Mile in his last start. While he has not won since February, and he was unplaced in the race last year, a win would not be a surprise.
Arctica has been consistent
The Call To Combat entire Dawn Assault beat Sabina’s Dynasty a length over the Turffontein 2000m last time but meets the Dynasty mare on 4kg worse terms. He is also widely drawn and will need some luck to feature.
Drawn worst of the lot, Like A Panther is the second of the Mike De Kock duo. The 4yo registered a confidence boosting win over stablemate Wheel Of Time in an Assessment Plate at the Vaal at his last start. While he was weighted to win that, it would be folly to disregard the fact that he was considered good enough to travel to Cape Town for the classics last summer. He ran a nice race for third behind Tap O’ Noth in the Guineas and would be dangerous if recapturing his better 3yo form.
Full Mast looked dangerous late in proceedings in the Charity Mile but faded out to finish second last. He gets the services of Weichong Marwing and could be a much better proposition with a favourable draw on Thursday evening.
The topweight Liege has his final prep in advance of his defence of his 2017 Summer Cup title. Winless since that peak day in his career, he may be worth another chance.
