The Captain Al gelding Kiss Me Hardy looks ready to win
Trainer Corne Spies is enjoying one of the big seasons of his illustrious career and he gets the perfect opportunity to don a red and white suit for punters at the Vaal today. He saddles the very capable Kiss Me Hardy, the only 3yo amongst a rather tired looking bunch of older horses.
The 1450m Pinnacle Stakes opens the Place Accumulator on the eight-race programme.
Corne Spies – could deliver a present for punters on Tuesday
The lovely grey Kiss Me Hardy started his career in cracking style, winning on debut and then running commendable seconds in both the Gr3 Protea Stakes and the Listed Storm Bird Stakes.
Once labelled as ‘one of the best I have trained’ by the astute Corne Spies, Kiss Me Hardy’s form graph tapered negatively on the turf before Spies took the obvious next option – a try on sand.
He produced instant fireworks when storming home beating Vulcan by 3,25 lengths in an MR 91 Handicap.
He was then thrown into the deep waters of the Dingaans and the jury is out – either he was outclassed or didn’t stay – or a combination of both.
In typically bold Spies style, he came out under two weeks later and ran another excellent race over the Vaal sand 1000m.
Rocking Run
Outpaced early, as has been his style, he charged through late to be beaten just 1,25 lengths when giving the smartly rated Malta Rocks 5kgs.
On the balance of what we have seen of Kiss Me Hardy to date, Tuesday’s track and trip should provide him with the perfect platform to register his third victory.
Interestingly, he is rated a 98 on both surfaces by the official handicapper – they probably feel they haven’t quite seen enough of him yet to make a call.
Specialist
Trainer Tyrone Zackey’s Augustinus could enjoy the shorter trip
Sean Tarry’s Australian-bred Samogan was seen to be something of a course and distance specialist when winning three in a row in mid-year.
He was not persevered with last time when 31 lengths behind Augustinus.
Tyrone Zackey’s Augustinus is in much better form and appears to relish the sand. He carried a massive 63,5kgs last time when going flat in the final stages to finish 4 lengths adrift of All The Bids over a mile.
A drop in trip and a rails draw may play into Gavin Lerena’s hands.
Decent
In A Rush – lost form and could need the run
Mike Azzie’s Panjo has won 5 races and was considered a very decent horse on this surface.
He has run his last six races over Tuesday’s course and distance but dropped right out at his last start when finishing 10 lengths behind Brad’s Surge.
He needs to recapture his spark and cannot be fancied on current form.
Shock 2013 Emerald Cup winner In A Rush has been lumped with 61,5kgs as top weight but has produced only one poor effort (in the Algoa Cup) since an unsuccessful defence of his Emerald title.
He does not have the current credentials to suggest he would have an earning chance in this field.
Market Mover
Ormond Ferraris – brings Straw Market back to sand
Ormond Ferraris’ Straw Market returns to the sand after two very average turf efforts.
His best recent run was on this surface over a mile when running Jet Jamboree a 4,25 lengths in receipt of 2 kgs.
The son of Windrush has not won into close on two years though and has not fulfilled the smart promise of his 2yo season.
David Rahily’s Sugar And Shake has poor recent form and is soundly held by Kiss Me Hardy on his last start when beaten 13,25 lengths – even though he enjoys a 4,5kg weight advantage.
