Fresh Start. Sean Tarry’s Hawaii Stakes winner Whiteline Fever is distance suited and runs well fresh
The mystique and thrill of Turffontein night racing action makes a long overdue return when some serious class and quality gallopers turn out under the lights on Tuesday evening.
The big names opening their season campaigns include the 2013 Triple Tiara queen Cherry On The Top, as well as SA Derby winner Wylie Hall. The ten race card is headed by two competitive R115 000 Pinnacle Stakes.
Rested
The 1400m event sees a field of fourteen runners going to post on the standside track, with most of the big guns returning from a break. It looks a minefield if one throws in the mish mash of factors like distance suitability, fitness and barrier draws, that could ultimately influence the result.
The two top rated runners are Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top, and the exciting Hawaii Stakes winner, Whiteline Fever. Both return from rests and make their respective seasonal debut.
Good Draw
Sean Tarry’s Whiteline Fever is a major contender from his good draw. The son of Right Approach last ran on Super Saturday, when running on well for just under three lengths behind Jackson in the Gr1 Champions Cup.
It is worth noting that he came out and won the Hawaii Stakes over Tuesday’s course and distance after a three month rest earlier this year, and will be partnered again by Raymond Danielson who rode him there. He thus runs well fresh and that profile puts him right on top of the list of considerations.
Triple Tiara
Brilliant. Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top will probably benefit from the outing but is a dangerous galloper if not finding this on the short side
Ormond Ferraris’ Cherry On The Top has all the credentials and returns from just over four months off, after a slighty flat effort for fourth in the Woolavington. She had won the Triple Tiara previously and came off a hard campaign. While she may lack the toe to win a contest of this nature, she certainly has the class to challenge for a place cheque.
SA Derby winner Wylie Hall comes off an unplaced effort in the July, and is being prepared for bigger things this coming season. He is a lightly raced winner of 3 races from 8 starts, and should find this a touch short.
Jockey Strike
Corne Spies has engaged Piere Strydom to ride the smart, but largely disappointing Victory Moon colt,War Horse. A Gr1 winner, War Horse has run some of his best races over Tuesday’s track and trip and could find Strydom the tonic required to revive his flagging fortunes. He was run off his feet in the Emerald Cup and did not enjoy the experience at all. If that has not taken the wind out of his sails, he has every prospect of bouncing back to best here.
Unbeaten
Unbeaten. The Mike De Kock trained Capricorn Ridge is unbeaten in two starts and steps up in class
Mike De Kock’s Tiger Ridge 3yo Capricorn Ridge could be the dark horse of the race. He is unbeaten in two from two, and stepped up smartly from his Scottsville 1200m debut win to score smartly over Tuesday evening’s course and distance, beating Magic’s Magic easily. He is not well drawn at 10, and also needs to show his maturity and adaptability at his first race under the lights.
Top Tiger
Brian Wiid’s Tiger Play has done nothing wrong since shedding his maiden on 7 May. A winner of four of his last five starts, including an excellent victory over Balse in an MR100 Handicap over the Turffontein mile last time, the son of Tiger Ridge looks to be going the right way. Piere Strydom has won three races on Tiger Play, but as noted rides War Horse, which may be an indicator of their relative prospects.
Need It
Indian River has won 3 of 14 starts, and won a strong MR 90 Handicap over 1800m at his last start. He is likely to need the outing, and may be more comfortable over further at this level. Weiho Marwing’s con-sistent Kahal gelding Uncle Tommy switches back from the sand and should not have fitness issues, after a gallant third behind shock winner In A Rush in the Emerald Cup a fortnight ago.
Fever Pitch
A wonderful evening of racing is in prospect. The crowds should come out to see the good horses. We are siding with Whiteline Fever to get the better of War Horse and Capricorn Ridge. But watch the betting and have a look at the canter down. The signs will be there as to which ones are readier than others to roll.
