The classy Jet Fever returns from a rest but should carry too many guns for his opposition
Although running over a distance probably regarded as short of his best and despite suspect fitness, Gavin Van Zyl’s Jet Fever still looks the horse to beat in the topliner at Turffontein on Tuesday evening. The son of Jet Master is superior to the rather motley crew of handicappers that he faces in the final leg of the jackpot.
The R100 000 MR 91 Divided Handicap is the seventh of eight well patronised races on a tough looking month end night programme. If young Zackey can bounce Jet Fever and get to the front to lead, they could go all the way.
The betting may indicate his wellbeing and it follows that if there are indications of support, he may be the banker option. There won’t exactly be too much snapping at his heels.
Real Value
The Scott Bros bred Jet Fever looks serious value for his R400 000 National Yearling Sale price tag and the lightly raced 4yo gelding is yet to run a poor race. He has won twice and run 3 places from his 8 starts, ranging from diverse distances from 1400m to 3200m.
There is no substitute for class and even though Jet Fever comes in off a 21 week break following his excellent second placed effort behind Sky Rise in the Gr3 RA Handicap run over 3200m, he is maiden placed over 1400m and should cope.
In his favour will be the fact that he is running fresh and also gets some pudding off, courtesy of Craig Zackey’s 1,5 kg claim. The enthusiastic apprentice rode a double for the Van Zyl yard last weekend and is proving a rising talent in the novice jockey ranks.
Level Weights
With the claim, Jet Fever faces Romeo Francis’ Flag Of France at level weights. The son of The Sheik runs (like so many horses do) for Piere Strydom and as a multiple course and distance winner, strikes us as Jet Fever’s most serious opposition.
Flag Of France produced a four race purple patch late last year with Strydom up and while he hated the sand at his penultimate start, he has been slightly off that of late, he comes in fit.
One To Watch
Geoff Woodruff’s stable is in serious form and his coupling of Approachable and Impresa will have their supporters. Approachable has tumbled to earth from his highest lifetime MR of 113 and he must surely represent some value running off a 92 with a promising 4kg claimer in the saddle.
His great Gr2 Hawaii Stakes second behind Slumdogmillionaire certainly makes him a factor, but his form since is a shadow of the past. The 4yo Impresa is another that started like a house on fire but is struggling. He is under sufferance and has not won in over a year. Not exactly the kind of form to get the pulses racing.
Tarry Trio
Sean Tarry saddles a trio headed by the Malhub gelding, Money Doesn’t Count. He won his last start over the course and distance after an extended dry spell and is in under sufferance with Jet Fever. Money Doesn’t Count is also drawn widest of all and that won’t aid his cause.
Reign Victorious is a consistent sort who disappointed over 400m further last time. He appears much better around this trip and must be a place prospect. The third of the Tarry trio is the out of sorts National Road.
The Tawny Syndicate bred son of National Emblem is another with the advantage of an apprentice claim and he is well on the handicap. His form remains suspect though and he cannot be given any serious vote of confidence. The rest have little to recommend them.
Exciting
Jet Fever could yet develop into something special and he is an exciting young horse. He would probably get away with limited fitness and should be good enough to hold Flag Of France, whom Strydom will have running at him late.
Beyond the top two, there is nothing that inspires money confidence, although we keep going back to Approachable’s drop down the ladder. He could prove to be the lurker in the pack and there won’t be any pressure on Ryan Munger.
