Danger. The Corne Spies trained Lord Jonathan is fit and could be a threat if the favourite fluffs his lines
The promising Ashaawes gelding Way Clear looks to have Friday’s R75 000 Racing Association Sophomore Plate (NBT) to be run over the Fairview 1400m at his mercy. Little should get in the way of him clocking up his fourth straight victory. The Armitage’s sire Ashaawes is fast making inroads into local hearts and minds, and his talented son Way Clear looks set to continue the family’s good name.
Trained by Alan Greeff, Way Clear will be ridden by regular jockey MJ Byleveld from a midfield draw, in a race that he looks handicapped to win well. After a quiet spell at the end of last season, Way Clear has come into his own as a 3yo.
He has an aggregate winning margin of 9,25 lengths at his last three starts and the middle of those was a sweeping 3,25 length victory over Bishop’s Choice in the Listed Racing Association Stakes. Way Clear had most of the better local 3yo’s well behind him there. These include Guineas Plate winner Placido, and last Friday’s impressive Fairview Merchants winner Sedge.
Lord Jonathan and Skippyjon Jones look the two most likely to upset the calculations. Corne Spies’ Lord Jonathan is one of the fittest horses around,and he registered his third win with a brave dash down the outside rail over the Kenilworth 1400m in an MR 78 Handicap two weeks ago.
He accounted for the Snaith’s highly thought of Lion’s Roar by just under a half length, and had a few of the local hardknockers like Great Kalli, Golden Dane and The Colenel’s Son well beaten.
Felix Coetzee rides Skippyjon Jones for Justin Snaith. The lightly raced gelding comes off a ten week break after a good third behind Placido in the Guineas Plate, and then a second to Kotzen’s promising Queen’s Club in a lowly rated 1800m handicap. Much will depend on his fitness and the betting may be the best guide.
The Stronghold gelding Tealion has his second run after a failed attempt on the Ready To Run Cup at Turffontein in November last year. He showed some promise winning 2 of his 11 starts, but needs to recapture that form to have any say here.
Blushing Peter was a runaway maiden winner over the course and distance at his first Eastern Cape run, but then flopped at his post maiden when fading out to finish unplaced to Tiger Right. He was placed in the SA Nursery behind the brilliant Soft Falling Rain as a 2yo, so probably has the ability to run a place here, if finding his best form.
Cavalar is one of the unexposed 3yo’s , who has only his fourth outing after winning his maiden by 4,25 lengths last time. Off a light weight and with a handy 2 draw, he could surprise as he could just about be anything.
Devil’s Dollar has shown nothing since his maiden win. Double Nelson won his maiden at his thirteenth attempt and then ran a fourth to shock winner Triple Vortex in a Novice Plate last time. This is tougher.
Recent maiden winner Dash’s Inn has pulled the best draw, but took fifteen runs to win, so looks outclassed here. Barring the unforeseen, Way Clear looks the best bet on the card and he should beat Lord Jonathan and Skippyjon Jones. Quartet players may wish to consider the unexposed Cavalar, and our longshot Tealion, as potential placers.
