When it comes to horses-for-jockeys, there are few happier marriages than Andrew Fortune and the consistent Gary Alexander-trained 7yo Pivotal Pursuit. The pair take on eight lighter weighted rivals in the topliner of a compact eight-race programme at the Vaal today.
Andrew Fortune – rides Pivotal Pursuit
It’s month end and exotic bet activity should be lively on a competitive programme.
An interesting runner is the French three-time winner Albion, an 8yo grey son of With Approval, who looks to have been imported with stallion duties in mind.
All his wins were achieved over 2000m in the mud and Lucky Houdalakis says that his charge shows little in work and he has also not seen action in two years.
“He will probably wake up when he gets to the track but this should really be too short for him.”
If one man could make the difference with a horse on the return it is Houdalakis – his success with Mary Slacks showjumper Limbo and an endurance horse whose name eludes us right now, come to mind.
Pivotal
The R120 000 MR 100 Handicap run over the straight mile has some nice quality and depth with the 2014 Gr2 Colorado King Stakes winner Halve The Deficit topping the SP ratings.
Halve The Deficit – lacks fire lately
The 8yo son of Right Approach has not won in over a year and ran his best race in ages when a well beaten fourth to Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes back in April.
He was beaten 1,70 lengths by Pivotal Pursuit last time and now finds himself 5,5kgs better off. 4kg claimer Apprentice Mjoka is carded to ride him, but was handed a 30 day suspension last week and may be replaced – watch the weight variance.
Pivotal Pursuit is a son of the Cheveley Park Polar Falcon stallion Pivotal who stood for a 2015 fee of £45,000
Pivotal in his racing days
The timeform 124 rated speedster was a winner of 4 races up to 1200m from only 6 starts. His peak came in the Gr1 Nunthorpe Stakes run over 1000m in 56.53s – the second fastest time ever.
He also won the Gr2 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot – again over 1000m and in the second fastest time ever!
Pivotal has sired the winners of over £25,000,000 in prize money and 114 individual stakes winners, that includes 26 individual Gr1 winners.
Heights
Pivotal Pursuit in full flight
Pivotal Pursuit may not have attained any of those dizzy heights and does not possess his accomplished Dad’s speed – but he is very consistent and enjoys the kind and patient hands of the master Andrew Fortune.
He looked a winner last time when slightly flat-footed late and fallen victim to a late surge by the talented Judicial.
He could make amends here.
It is great to see Piere Strydom back in the irons and he partners the second of the Sean Tarry gallopers in the 4yo Liege.
The son of Dynasty won the Gr3 Jubilee Handicap in great style last time when beating Rainy Day Blues and looks set to get his 4yo career off on a high. His 11 week break could count against him.
Handy Weight
Shadow Line – handy galloping weight
The capable seven-time winner Shadow Line carries a handy galloping weight of 52,5kgs and would only need to find his best form to challenge. He has shown little of late and appears to have his soundness issues.
The second of the Houdalakis runners is Netflix, who won his last start well but steps up in class.
Pivotal Pursuit and Liege should fight it out.
Our preference is for the topweight to give Fortune his fourth success aboard him.
Shadow Line and Halve The Deficit can round off the quartet.
