Maliyakhe should be flying at the finish.
MR96 Handicap over 1400m at Scottsville on Tuesday
The best of the early season action in midweek takes place at Scottsville on Tuesday. A MR96 Handicap tops the bill and with most battling to find their form or returning from a break, question marks are aplenty, writes Steve Furnish.
Heading the weights is the 6yo son of Muhtafal, Maliyakhe. He’s gained three of his six wins over 1400m and he did run a good second in his only previous start at this circuit. Yogis Govender’s charge is without a win in eight outings now, but he did run up to his very best rating when only failing to reel in Wild Type by the narrowest of margins over today’s distance at Greyville last time out. With just nine going to post the widest draw should not be too much of a problem for Maliyakhe. He should be right there.
Wild Type
A winner of his only previous start over today’s course and distance, Gavin Van Zyl’s charge was produced with a well timed run when picking up his fourth career victory last time out. He gave the impression in that latest outing that there was more to come and very nicely drawn here, completion of the hat trick must be a possibility.
Extra Cover
After shedding his maiden tag in Apr’10 this son of Dynasty went on to complete a hat trick and at that time looked to be a very good sort in the making. He was laid off for six months after finishing fourth in his next start, but did then win over today’s distance on his return in April of this year. If finding his best form Alec Laird’s charge would have a shout, but having been well beaten after having held every chance in each of his last two outings, he is perhaps best just watched here.
Jet Man
The veteran Jet Man has won twice at this sharp inside track. His three most recent wins have all been gained over 1600m though, and he is returning from a six month break here. He would no doubt have a shout if ready, but as with Extra Cover, he is perhaps best just watched for now.
Saint Pierre
Formerly with Paul Matchett in Gauteng, Saint Pierre is yet to race over a trip this far. He’s gained three of his four wins on sand, but interestingly, his better ratings in our book have been achieved on turf. Thought good enough to contest the Gr1 Gold Medallion earlier in his career, Saint Pierre has clearly been below best in his most recent starts. It will be interesting to see how he goes.
Forecastle
A powerful frontrunner on his day, the gutsy front runner Forecastle reeled off four in a row after shedding his maiden tag. Since gaining the latest of those successes in Jun’10 though, Craig Eudey’s charge has been sparingly raced. His best effort since those wins came over today’s course and distance in his penultimate start in January. There has to be concerns with him having been off the track for six months, but Felix Coetzee takes the ride here, and he did partner this son of Strike Smartly on all four previous occasions that he has found the winner’s enclosure.
Miss Filly
The Modern Day mare Miss Filly won two of her first four career starts, but amazingly, she’s not managed to get her head in front in eighteen starts since. She is in good form at the moment though, having placed behind both Coffee Sheik and First ‘n Fast in recent starts, and although a win against the boys here seems unlikely, she should be thereabouts again.
Omega Warrior
When hitting form Sean Tarry’s charge does it in style. Indeed, either side of some very indifferent performances, he’s completed a hat trick. He’s been below best since gaining the latest of those wins and most of his successes have been achieved over further. Omega Warrior has won twice over 1400m though, and racing off a nice galloping weight of 53kg here, should be involved.
Cape Town
The 7yo Cape Town showed flashes of real ability earlier in his career and although not managing to make the frame, he has contested both the July and Summer Cup. He’s without a win since 2008 and he has been battling to find his best form since returning from a six month layoff in April. He is certainly capable of winning a race like this on earlier form, but as with most here question marks are aplenty.
About The Pace
With just nine runners going to post and no couplings in the field, there has to be a chance that the race will develop into a sprint. Plenty would have chances if at their best. Maliyakhe, Wild Type and Omega Warrior look the most likely to fight it out on current form though, with my preference being for Maliyakhe.
