Turffontein hosts an exciting ten-race programme today! There are five feature races on the card and an estimated Pick 6 of R5 million.
Kommetdieding has made his way up to the Highveld and is the horse to beat in the Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift H F Oppenheimer Stakes.
Kommet before his final breeze on Thursday (Pic – Troy Finch)
Mike Moon reports in The Citizen that at 08h15 on Thursday, trainer Michelle Rix declared, “My work is done. Now it’s all in Gavin’s hands.”
Her star Kommetdieding had just completed a final preparation gallop at the Randjesfontein training centre ahead of his run in the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes on Saturday. Gavin is, of course, Gavin Lerena, the Durban July-Met champ’s big-race jockey, who’ll be back on board as the Cape-based colt makes his Highveld debut.
“Kommet’s prep has gone really well,” said Rix. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he came close to winning.”
That might sound a tad cautious about the chances of the 11-10 favourite for the 1600m Grade 1 race, but perhaps Kommetdieding’s multitude of fans around the country should bear in mind that visiting upcountry isn’t a piece of cake for coastal-based horses, and that 1600m might be sharp for the fellow these days.
Rix described the Horse Chestnut as “an open race”, with Mike de Kock’s runner Al Muthana an obvious danger, along with Sean Tarry’s seasoned campaigner Chimichuri Run.
Rix revealed that Kommetdieding being a colt – with increased red blood cell counts – counts in his favour in adapting to Joburg’s high altitude. She also said his blood count tests had been “spot on” ahead of the Horse Chestnut.
The four-year-old son of Elusive Fort journeyed from his home in Cape Town to Randjesfontein four weeks ago, to help him adapt http://www.phenterminereviews.org/canadian-drugstores-the-best-place-to-buy-phentermine/ to the new environment. Lerena’s advice was sought on suitable lodgings and the ace rider suggested trainer Roy Magner’s yard as the closest approximate to the stables of Rix and her father Harold Crawford’s set-up at Milnerton.
Saturday’s race is essentially a prep run for the Premier’s Champions Challenge at Turffontein on 30 April – another Grade 1, but over 2000m, which is more in the colt’s comfort zone.
The first is due off at 11h45.
Rain In Holland from the Sean Tarry stable will be looking to close off the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara after winning the first two legs well. The daughter of Duke Of Marmalade faced stronger in those two efforts.
Rain In Holland – ready to do battle (Pic – JC Photos)
The blinkers come off and she should have no issues with the rise to 2450m. She will take a power of beating.
Sean Tarry also saddles Litigation in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Derby. He was super-impressive when winning the Listed Derby Trial last time. He raced from a handy position, quickened up well and won with a ton in hand.
The son of Greys Inn faces his toughest test to date, but he has class and should enjoy the extra 450m on offer.
Gavin Lerena knows him well and he can notch up the hat-trick.
| Weather | Partly Cloudy, 40% chance of thunderstorms, 16 -26 deg, 13-33 kph north westerly cross/head wind | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainfall | Last 24 Hours: Nil | Last 7 Days: 9mm | |
| Irrigation | Last 24 Hours: Nil | Last 7 Days: 9mm | |
| Penetrometer Reading | 22 | ||
| Track Condition | Good | ||
| False Rail | Zero on the back straight to 6m on the bend with a 6m spur at the 700m mark. | ||
- The Bipot starts in the second race at 12h20
- The Place Accumulator starts in the third race at 12h55
- The Pick 6 starts in the fourth race at 13h30
- The first Jackpot starts in the fifth race at 14h05
- The second Jackpot starts in the seventh race at 15h15
- www.citizen.co.za – additional reporting by SP Editorial staff
