Duncan Howells’ Easy Lover – only three time winner
A fascinating interprovincial sales graduates clash run for the same stake as the J&B Met adds plenty of interest to the Turffontein card this evening.
The 1400m R2,5 million CTS Book 2 Graduates Race forms part of all of the exotics and while a prospective quick return on investment for owners, presents something of a nightmare for punters, with visiting horses the unknown quantity.
While the locals inevitably hold the upper hand, the visiting attack is a powerful one, and includes a decent trio from KZN.
Duncan Howell’s Easy Lover is the only three-time winner in the race and but for his 13 draw, would have been a ready PA banker. The son of Right Approach has had the advantage of a run in the region and with some luck in running should be right there. Howells has declared blinkers for the first time – an interesting move.
Unbeaten Genial travels from Summerveld
Michael Roberts has an exciting prospect on his hands in Newbury Racing’s undefeated Jay Peg filly Genial. She has shown terrific pace and will need to have a tactical plan to overcome her 16 draw.
The Garth Puller-trained Anafesto has drawn well and won his only race on the Greyville polytrack. The son of Judpot has shown a form return recently and Cape based MJ Byleveld gets aboard.With the withdrawal of Joey Ramsden’s Cotton Hill, the Cape attack has been blunted but Mike Bass’ Argonaut gelding Spirit Of Hamilton has won two in a row and jumps from a good draw. Met winning jockey Bernard Fayd’herbe also travels to partner him – a major positive.
Yvette Bremner’s Blast is the sole PE runner. The son of Windrush has pulled an awful draw and will need luck in running.
Trainer Sean Tarry saddles a quartet of runners
With the scratching of Cotton Hill, Sean Tarry’s reserve Jupiterandmars comes into the race to give the powerful yard a quartet of runners.
The Sporting Post top-rated Siren’s Call will be ridden by Piere Strydom and while on the short side, could be the best of them.
Vaal-based Paul Peter also holds a big numbers hand with his trio.
He told Gold Circle Publishing’s David Thiselton that he is “leaning towards” the Dupont gelding Forest Fox as his chief contender in the race, where he also runs the impressive debut winning Judpot filly Eliza Doolittle and the promising Rebel King filly London.
He said, “They are all extremely well. Forest Fox’s prep has gone perfectly and he is a decent horse.”
This gelding looked to be going nowhere over 1400m at the Vaal last time off an 87 merit rating against older campaigners, but then suddenly got his mind on the job and sauntered clear to an impressive 2,5 length win. The penny appeared to have dropped in that race, which was just his fourth career outing.
Peter confirmed that Forest Fox, having tended “to fall asleep early in his races early”, now appeared to have “woken up” and had been “more enthusiastic” in his work. He continued, “There looks to be a bit off pace in the race, which will suit him.”
Trainer Paul Peter has three in the big money race
Eliza Doolittle hardly came off the bit on debut in a moderate workrider’s maiden to win by seven lengths and impressed with her long, comfortable stride. Peter said afterwards that she had only been “about 70% fit” for that race.
He said, “She has tons of improvement to come. But this race does come a bit soon and she is drawn wide.”
London impressed when stepped up to 1450m for the first time last August in a decent maiden on the Turffontein Inside track, finding a strong finish to beat useful sorts like Gold Cup Girl and Will I Do by 4,5 lengths and 10,75 lengths respectively. She was disappointing in her next two starts, but was running on quite well last time out over 1600m. Peter said, “She had a muscle problem which we have sorted out and she has been working well.” London is well drawn and if she finds her best form she could be an outsider to consider.
Peter has taken all three horses to see the course.
Derreck David is usually Peter’s first choice jockey, but in this case Sean Cormack rides Forest Fox (draw 8), Gunther Wrogemann rides Eliza Doolittle (draw 14) and JP van der Merwe rides London (draw 5). Peter explained, “Hassen Adams wanted Sean Cormack to ride Forest Fox and we weren’t sure whether Eliza Doolittle would qualify so Derreck accepted the ride on Dominic Zaki’s horse (The Stones). Derreck did want to ride Forest Fox.”
