Unbeaten Angel’s Power goes for win number three
Some horses just have the knack of hitting the headlines. Brian Wiid’s Angel’s Power is one of them. The son of Miesque’s Approval underwent a name change after streaking home on debut – and then maintained his unblemished record when winning his second start on the Greyville all-weather track. He turns up at the Vaal today in a tricky looking 3yo Handicap and faces his biggest test to date.
A bumper ten race programme includes some tricky races, with Angel’s Power running in the jackpot opener, an MR 86 Handicap run over the straight 1300m.
Piere Strydom – back rom a break and partners Angel’s Powerl
Piere Strydom returns from a week-long break with his family down in his hometown of Port Elizabeth and in the absence of Angel’s Power’s regular pilot Andrew Fortune, looks the perfect man for the job on the promising Scott Bro’s bred 3yo with the electric turn of foot.
Angel’s Power made the news when winning on debut in the power partnership of Dr Richard Maponya and Edward Bouwer. The men had been brought together by Brian Wiid’s enthusiastic assistant Michael Mahiakola – a guy whose personal breakthrough to training horses is the stuff of movies.
Astute judge Herman Brown Senior chose Angel’s Power at sale and when he came out to win his second start (also over 1000m) three weeks later on the Greville polytrack, the story just grew wings.
Brian Wiid – over 40 years of experience
Veteran Brian Wiid now sends the youngster out at his third different racecourse, but over a trip that looks to suit his aptitude and racing style perfectly.
Alec Laird trained Slinky Jack beat the highly thought of subsequent winner Kemal Kavur on debut. He subsequently showed good pace in decent company at his next two starts and makes his debut as a 3yo after a rest of 14 weeks.
If not needing it, he could well appreciate the extra 300m – his dam Slinky Malinky was trained by Joey Ramsden to win 5 up to 1400m.
His stablemate Canadian Mountie improved dramatically at his fourth outing (after a slow start!) to shed his maiden at 50 to 1.
What does one make of him?
High Game won his maiden at Scottsville by 7 lengths but then failed miserably in two feature races.
He is quite highly thought of by trainer Mike Azzie and will find this company a lot friendlier at his first Vaal outing.
African Ruler had two KZN runs and won his maiden at his second start. He beat Roy’s Strike Force, who subsequently ran unplaced – but African Ruler is a nicely bred fellow, who could be capable of plenty of improvement.
Piere Strydom rode Duke Nukem to a fluent debut win at 4 to 1. There are no winners out of that race and the fact that Striker has opted to ride Angel’s Power may suggest that the latter may have more scope.
Rebel Renegade won at his third time of asking, when showing good pace to hold Teagan’s Boy over the Turffontein 1160m.
Heather Adamson trained Blue Blazer ran on well to shed his maiden on the sand last time, at his fifth start.
He is a relatively unexposed sort on the turf and may be capable of further improvement.
Much the same applies to Chris Erasmus’ Camps Drift, who actually beat Blue Blazer by 1,60 lengths last time to win his maiden.
His two turf runs have been modest.
Corne Spies – saddles Roman Calamity
Corne Spies’ Roman Calamity won his maiden at his sixth start and was then thrown into the deep end when contesting the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes on July day.
He was found wanting, being beaten just over 8 lengths by the unbeaten Rabada.
It is worth noting that Roman Calamity had subsequent dual winner Counterstroke beaten 0,70 lengths when winning his maiden, and may prove very competitive here.
Leon Erasmus’ bottom weighted coupling of Sir Price and Tearaway look to have lots to do and the others are preferred.
Angel’s Power has the look of a low-key progressive sort.
His style of racing suggests he will enjoy the extra 300m and Strydom is the perfect man for the job.
