Jackodore – Looking to complete a very smart hat-trick.
Swallow Stakes (L) over 1160m at Turffontein (stand side) on Tuesday
The highlight in Midweek is the listed Swallow Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein on Tuesday. The conditions of this event for 3yo’s favour those at the top of the weights and they will more than likely have the race between them, writes Steve Furnish
Best in at the weights if the handicapper has gotten his sums right is the Silvano filly Malaga-Belle. She’s mainly been campaigned against older horses and in winning two of her last four starts has done well. Dominic Zaki’s charge has gained two of her three wins over 1000m, but she has earlier won over today’s course and distance and usually one to finish strongly, she could prove to be better suited to this trip.
Jackadore
Set to shoulder 3kg more than Malaga-Belle despite only being rated one point higher is Sean Tarry’s Jackodore. This daughter of Toreador has been going from strength to strength in recent months. Indeed, since running on strongly to take fourth in the Gr3 Starling Stakes on Bonfire Night she’s won both starts in good fashion. She looked to have a little in hand when beating the 2010 Allan Robertson winner Chocolicious (a winner since) in the Gr3 Magnolia Handicap over today’s course and distance last time out and completion of the hat-trick here must be a strong possibility.
Variometer
Another in with a definite chance here is the Var filly Variometer. After cruising in by four on debut, Louis Goosen’s charge looked a top sort in the making when winning the listed Ruffian Stakes next time out. In comparison her two subsequent outings last season were very disappointing, but since returning from a five month break in November she has clearly been coming to hand. Variometer undoubtedly has the form to be involved here, but her three successes have all been gained over 1000m and having failed to show in her only two outings over further one has to have concerns about her getting the extra.
Larussa
Also fairly treated at the weights here is the Paul Matchett trained Larussa. Prior to being outpaced throughout when racing over the minimum distance for the first time last time out, this daughter of Doowaley had been showing good improvement with each outing. She ran on stoutly after being baulked for a run when gaining her latest success over today’s course and distance in November and she was also finishing strongly when only beaten 2,5 lengths at levels by Jackodore in the Magnolia Handicap in her penultimate outing. Larussa meets Jackodore on 3kg better terms here and on that alone she must have a shout.
Rosehip
An interesting runner here is Rosehip. She’s had the lion’s share of her outings on sand. In the main the form of her runs on that surface is below what is needed here, but she was only a half length behind Jackodore at levels when fourth in the non-black type Sophomore Fillies 1000m. Her two earlier outings on turf were promising. It will be interesting to see how she goes.
Umcebo
The dark horse of the race is undoubtedly Umcebo. After a typically gentle introduction to racing in November, Gary Alexander’s charge found good support (16/10 into even money) in her only subsequent outing and duly cruised in by five and a quarter. In truth, this daughter of Cataloochee bumped a very moderate field that day, but she can only improve and could be anything.
Amazing Grace
Another with scope for enormous improvement is the Alec Laird trained Amazing Grace. She showed real guts and determination when getting the better of the subsequent four time winner Reason To Believe in just her second career outing last season and after failing to show in feature races over further earlier in this campaign she did then put in a very promising effort when running on best of all in her first start back over a sprint distance behind Variometer last time out.
Dazzling Moon
Along with Amazing Grace, Dazzling Moon faces a very stiff task on paper. She’s been coming along nicely with each outing and is sure to give of her best here. She does now take an enormous step up in class here though and will need to show considerable improvement just to make the frame.
About The Pace
With most usually seen racing up with, or close to the speed, a good pace looks assured. Although there are a couple of dark horses here, it is those at the top of the weights who look the most likely to fight it out. Jackodore in particular has been improving very nicely and it is she who gets the vote.
