Call Kelly looks ser to go one better at the Vaal on Tuesday
Charisma and entertainment value don’t come in much smarter packages in the jockey ranks than former SA champion Andrew Fortune. In the space of a matter of weeks the legendary rider has brightened the Gauteng racing scene – and lifted the fortunes of the Gary Alexander Stable with four well-taken winners. He is back in action at the Vaal on Tuesday, where he rides Call Kelly for St John Gray in the topliner.
While Call Kelly has some work to do in the MR 80 Handicap run over 1200m, the fact that Fortune takes the ride again after being humiliated by a greenhorn in Calvin Habib on Night Editor at his last start, means that he may have a point to prove to himself, the trainer – or whoever.
Bestseller
The 47 year old claimed the SA jockey title in 2008/9 where he rode like a man possessed – whilst restricted to a ridiculous 60kgs. No big name has ever walked that road over any season, but it was just another obstacle that ‘Manna’ has overcome in a life and career that has bestseller written all over it.
His current sojourn in the North is proving a profitable one. “At this rate, I may even stay,’ he said rather casually this week.
Gary Alexander – enjoying the Fortune run
From just a handful of meetings from 25 June to 7 July, he rode 4 winners from just 23 rides. And being a heavyweight, he is naturally limited to the scope of his opportunities.
And it seems little has changed as regards his love of food – as outlined in this quote to Stan Elley earlier this year, when quizzed on his capacity – “Do you want me to give up everything? I gave up drugs and I gave up sex but I love my food.”
Another pearler was when Fortune won at the Vaal last Tuesday on the rather moderate Commodore Al. He was passed by Craig Zackey on Mirak late in the race, but Commodore Al came right back to win.
“You know, when an appie goes past me late in the race, he needs to have a little bit more in the tank than that!”said the wry smiling Fortune afterwards.
Revenge
Andrew Fortune – master in the saddle
A three-time winner, Call Kelly was beaten a short head by Night Editor last time out over the Turffontein 1160m. Fortune won’t want a similar result.
As a course and distance winner, he looks a serious runner here – but will need to get past Mike De Kock’s, Foyle – himself a course and distance winner.
The Tiger Ridge 4yo ran a storming third in much stronger company last time after a seven month break, when 2,95 lengths behind the very quick Greasepaint.
Mike Azzie’s topweighted Rough Justice has plenty to do as a 3yo with 62,5 kgs on his back.
He also ran in stronger company last time when just 1,30 lengths off Greasepaint – when receiving 4,5kgs from him.
Talktothestars has won his last two – the penultimate over the course and distance. Interestingly, he was taken to Flamingo Park where he ran handily to beat local hardknocker Secret Delight easily.
He will strip fit.
Answer It
There is not much form to shout about amongst the balance and we are suggesting that the Fortune Factor may swing it and Call Kelly will go one better and win this .
Foyle is classy and if the second run after a rest hoodoo doesn’t grab him, he will be right there.
Andrew Fortune said in February this year: “People are telling me ‘You are tired, you are old’ and when I ring them they are not answering the phone.”
Times are a changing – again, it seems!
