The scratching of Sean Tarry’s 4yo Toreador gelding Matador Man throws the cat amongst the pigeons in the R1-milion KZN Breeders Million Mile at Greyville today.
Sean Tarry – still has a strong hand
The well endowed feature headlines the KZN Breeders annual raceday and is for KZN bred 3yo’s and older registered as KwaZulu-Natal bred in terms of the Gold Circle Racing and Gaming Group Thoroughbred Breeder, Stallion and Owner Premium scheme.
This race is weighted on the basis that 3yo’s carry 55,5kgs and 4yo’s carry 57,0kgs
Penalties for a Gr1 win is 3kgs, Gr2 winners get 2kgs, Gr3 winners get 1kg and winners of a Listed race a half kilo.
Duncan Howells
Runner-up to Matador Man last year, Duncan Howells has been meticulous in his planning for this event, and Dawn Calling will strip at her peak.
The consistent daughter of Trippi does her best at Greyville, her last win coming at the expense of the smart Ngaga in a Pinnacle Stakes.
She takes on males here but this time has drawn three off the fence and she could take some catching.
Mark Dixon’s gallant speed specialist London Call is an eleven-time winner from his 21 starts and tries the trip for the first time. A class act, he is rising 8 and did not run his best race when beaten 7 lengths by Bold Respect in the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint.
Gary Alexander’s hard running pacemaker Unagi takes his chances again after finishing 9 lengths behind Matador Man last year. The son of Admire Main is a dangerous sort if he is allowed to dictate.
Heaps Of Fun – talented but has she lost interest?
Heaps Of Fun is probably nearer the paddock than the racetrack at this stage of the game and appears to have lost her zest. She was beaten 5 lengths in the Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes at her last start and looks unlikely.
Ormond Ferraris’ 5yo Romany Prince is a game galloper and just a few lengths off the top rank. The son of Kahal was beaten 5 lengths into fifth last year and always produces an honest effort.
Tyrone Zackey’s Glider Pilot was backed and weighted to win his last start at home but failed to produce any kind of effort. He is a Gr1 placed at this track and is much better than current form.
Africa Rising – decent but returns from a 17 week break
The 2017 Gr3 Byerley Turk winner Africa Rising comes off a rest of 17 weeks following a quiet effort in the Hawaii Stakes. He has the widest of the draw to contend with.
Joey Ramsden takes his chances with Morning Catch, who was unplaced 4 lengths behind Rainbow Bridge in the Winter Classic at his last start.
Subtropical has pulled a pole position draw and is a lightly raced two-time winner.
Intergalactic has rather ordinary recent form
The Bayou has only raced three times and could be anything. He looks promising and won his second start.
On a tough day of restricted races, the upsets look very likely! The Bipot starts in the second at 12h30.
