Pivotal Pursuit goes for five in a row
Pivotal Pursuit has given longstanding Gary Alexander Racing Stable patrons Jimmy Sarkis and Greg Sadie plenty of pleasure. Having registered five of his six career victories in his last six starts over just four months, he is a mobile billboard for owner patience and trainer perseverance, in a world of ever spiralling costs.
Andrew Fortune – in form and knows his mount well
Going for his fifth consecutive win, the Drakenstein Stud-bred Pivotal Pursuit faces nine quality opponents in the capacity of topweight on the Turffontein inside track mile in an R100 000 MR 91 Handicap – the weekend’s topliner in a programme some seven days away of serious feature action.
Relatively lightly-raced with just 15 starts in three seasons of racing, Pivotal Pursuit is one of those rare beasts who have come to the party against all odds – and a superb galloping endorsement to the skills of one of South Africa’s most famous horseracing families.
It was his conditioner Gary Alexander who gave his valued clients the confidence to persevere with Pivotal Pursuit after a terrible setback as a 3yo.
Alexander spokesman and Gary’s right-hand man and loyal brother Dean takes up the story:
“His recovery from a rare case of injury was a miracle in all senses of the word and required plenty of patience and belief. Then when he eventually came back into training, he had an issue with his feet and our farrier suggested we give him time and allow his feet to grow out. So that was another spell and more patience,” laughed Dean.
Dean Alexander – looking for Pivotal Pursuit to step up to the challenge on Saturday
He was quick to give Gary all of the credit, saying that he was the man who had the confidence.
“He is a genuine fairytale story of recovery and success. He just keeps stepping up to the plate, but we are under no illusions that it gets tougher every time he goes out. He faces his toughest test on Saturday,” said Dean.
So is Pivotal Pursuit up to it and how good do they believe he is?
“Well he is going out fit and well and Andrew (Fortune) is a top man who has won twice on him. We feel he could well be competitive in a race like the Charity Mile – that is if he comes in at the right weight. And he is no Pierre Jourdan – that horse was just exceptional. But Pivotal Pursuit is as honest as the day is long and gives of his best every time,” he said.
Pivotal Pursuit has climbed the handicapper’s rankings in style and if he wins on Saturday, it will be his best performance to date.
Geoff Woodruff will be out to lower the Alexander colours and the Guv saddles a trio, headed by the disappointing Rake’s Chestnut.
Piere Strydom rides the once boom son of Horse Chestnut, who looks likely to retire the most spoken about one-time winner ever.
Rake’s Chestnut – not too reliable
He drops in trip and returns from an 18 week break. He would only need to run to his best ability to go very close – but that is an old story.
His stablemate Master Switch has been gelded and also returns from a decent break.
The son of Jet Master ran a fair 4th in the Derby Trial behind the much vaunted Legal Eagle, but has plenty to do as a maiden winner.
Shea Devon is the third of the Woodruff attack and has seldom run a bad race since winning two races early on. One gets the sense that Piere Strydom may have had the choice of rides and Rake’s Chestnut may be a better option.
Mike De Kock – can never be discounted
Mike De Kock originally had a coupling but with a scratching, he is down to Alghadeer.
The lightly raced son of Dynasty won 2 of 4 starts but returned after a nine month break and was not persevered with on the sand last time. He is expected to improve lengths on that.
World Domination has been withdrawn.
The Lucky Houdalakis yard is in red hot form and Counterstroke steps up many rungs in class, with a decent draw and a galloping weight.
He will have fitness on his side and looks to have plenty of scope.
The choice…
A horse with the ability and versatility to run from off and on the pace, Pivotal Pursuit is the choice to overcome the odds and make it five in a row.
The places could prove a scramble, with a narrow vote to Rake’s Chestnut and Counterstroke.
The prospect of a duel between Fortune and Strydom could make for an interesting sub-plot!
