Deliver The Power has won five from six over sprint distances.
Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap over 1000m at Turffontein on Tuesday Night
Heading up another very busy program in midweek is the Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap at Turffontein on Tuesday. Eleven are set to go to post and with two very promising 3yo’s amongst them, it looks to be a very interesting affair, writes Steve Furnish.
Heading the weights is last year’s winner of this event Magico. This 4yo son of Dupont has been sparingly raced since then and his form has been a little in and out. He did also go on to run a very creditable fourth to Val De Ra in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint over today’s course and distance last season and a repeat of that effort would certainly make him a runner here despite the weight.
Mannequin
The highest rated of the two females in the event is the Kahal mare Mannequin. Equally effective on both sand and turf, Paul Matchett’s charge has been a model of consistency and has already won ten races. She’s sure to give of her best and could make the frame.
Deliver The Power
A winner of five of his seven starts to date, the Toreador gelding Deliver The Power has been going from strength to strength since finishing runner up on debut. Indeed, his only defeat since came when fourth to the subsequent Dingaans third Straw Market, and that was in his only outing beyond sprint distances. One of just two 3yo’s in the race, Dominic Zaki’s charge can still improve plenty and has to be a very serious runner here.
Waywest Goddess
The filly Waywest Goddess won both the Ruffian Stakes and Gauteng Fillies Nursery as a juvenile and then went on to run a very creditable second in the Gr1 Allan Robertson at Scottsville. A winner of three from four over today’s course and distance, Louis Goosen’s charge has had two lengthy layoffs since then, but after returning from the latest of those in November, she has won two from three.
Storm Vanidoso
The lone raider from out of town is the Natal based Storm Vanidoso. After shedding his maiden tag at the first attempt over today’s distance back in Jun ’09, Dennis Bosch’s charge then went seven starts without a win. Since being given a three month break at the end of last season though, this son of Bernstein has won all three starts with authority. Storm Vanidoso does now take a big step up in class, but he is clearly still improving and on that alone must have a shout.
Furious Dancer
Having won his last two starts, Kom Naidoo’s charge is at the top of his game right now. As with three of his other four career victories though, those latest two successes were both gained on sand. His only win on turf being his maiden victory at Scottsville in Jan ’10. It will be interesting to see how he goes.
Midnight Serenade
Yet to finish out of the Trifecta, Diane Stenger’s charge wound up a very promising first campaign last season with a third placing in the prestigious Gr1 Gold Medallion over 1200m at Scottsville. He’s unbeaten over 1000m and one of those successes was gained over today’s course and distance. Midnight Serenade was beaten fair and square by Deliver The Power last time out, but that was over 1160m, and now 0,5kg better off at the weights in this his third run after a rest, a big run can be expected.
Kayhaladin
Seventh in this race last season, the former Cape Town campaigner Kayhaladin only raced four times during 2011. He’s only managed to win one of his ten previous outings over today’s distance and returning from a 45 week layoff here, he cannot be fancied.
Treading Water
The only coupling in the race is that of Leon Erasmus who saddles all of Second World, Benbow and Maji Moto. Second World and Benbow have only managed one win in their last twenty starts, and with Maji Moto 5kg under sufferance, they should all be outclassed here.
About The Pace
With most preferring to race up with or close to the speed, a good pace looks assured. Storm Vanidoso and Midnight Serenade are both very serious runners here as is the top weight Magico. The one I like best on the day though is the improving 3yo Deliver The Power.
