August has been tough on us racing folk. It is a dull month on the feature front. As someone once said though, you can cut all the flowers – but you just cannot keep spring from coming!
The inaugural running of the R250 000 Gr3 Spring Spree Stakes at Turffontein today heralds some new hope.
Kangaroo Jack – rested but goes for four on the trot and looks porogressive
A smart field of eleven lines up in this typically interesting 1200m handicap on the Turffontein inside track, with the quality boosted by the return to action of the topweight, Kangaroo Jack.
The Highlands bred son of Querari opens his 4yo campaign after an eleven week break following his sensational victory at Greyville in the Gr2 Post Merchants during the SA Champions Season.
Kangaroo Jack earned a decent penalty after that win but is a fast improving sort who could be equal to the task.
He goes for his fourth win on the trot and while he won’t be at his peak with bigger fish to fry in the months ahead, Joyce Wallace’s smart gelding could be too classy for this lot.
Tarry Duo
Sean Tarry – will be looking to get back on the winning trail
Sean Tarry’s yard has not been firing in this month of housekeeping and holidays but the SA champion has a decent pair here.
The highly thought of Buckland has his first run since gelding and a rest since disappointing in the Post Merchants.
He is 4,5kgs better off with Kangarooo Jack for a 5,80 length beating and could well improve again on home turf with the ace Piere Strydom behind the controls.
His stablemate Lunar Approach returns from a 22 week and this fellow showed decent ability as a 3yo. He could need it but is worth following at his next few starts when reaching improved fitness.
Overdue
Mike Azzie’s Angel’s Power has been threatening to score his third win after a year’s absence from the winner’s enclosure.
The son of Miesque’s Approval has had his issues – breathing issues at his last start being the most notable, and this must be of concern.
He is well settled at his new yard and could put a winning effort together.
Moofeed is talented – but off form
Mike de Kock’s Moofeed is a mostly battling 6yo entire with a frustrating formline.
He was 5,70 lengths behind Kangaroo Jack in the Post Merchants and meets the Alexander runner on a 5kg weight turnaround. Despite that benefit, the two profiles – one the improving 4yo and the other a largely in his place 6yo – suggests that Moofeed should battle again and would have a place hope at best.
Strike One
Alec Laird’s Amazing Strike was another well beaten in the Merchants.
He is 4kgs better off with Kangaroo Jack but needs to make a 9,80 length leeway.
He did run on well in a lower handicap at his penultimate start and has a place chance – albeit having a wide draw to overcome.
Paul Peter’s Mod Barley is a lightning fast son of Antonius Pius, who will enjoy the run of the race from his 1 draw.
We would prefer him at 1000m though and he could be gasping for air in the final stages of this race.
Louis Goosen – rates Vincente
Louis Goosen’s Var entire Vincente has won only once in six starts but seems much better than his recent form – including that modest last fourth at Kimberley.
While he is widely drawn, his astute trainer has warned us to include him previously and he could be the lurker.
Cut And Thrust
Paul Matchett’s Thrust is a pacy and consistent son of Toreador.
He won his last start beating Dennis The Menace over the 1160m and could be effective over this trip given the fact that he has matured into a competitive sprinter.
New Lady on the block Candice Dawson started her first season with a big win at Kimberley and she saddles the well-travelled Indigo Magic gelding, Prince Of Orange.
The 5yo starts with his third trainer and has not won since January 2015.
That is not a fair reflection of this fellow’s true ability and he will be more comfortable in this handicap company.
One-time winner Kostya Zu is in under sufferance and looks an optimistic entry on all fronts. That is said with all due respect to astute trainer Coenie de Beer, who celebrated a maiden Gr1 winner last term.
The 5yo son of Lithuanian rises in class after an unplaced effort behind Chief Sioux six weeks ago.
On The Up
The lightly raced Kangaroo Jack is a horse going places and he looks the right one with Andrew Fortune leading the national jockey standings and in red-hot form.
Buckland could be next best, with Angel’s Power a nice quartet kicker possibility.
