Master Blaster won in stronger company over today’s trip last time out.
MR90 Handicap over 1450m at Vaal (sand) on Tuesday
With the Emerald Cup now just three months away, interest in midweek racing on sand is once again beginning to heighten. A MR90 Handicap over the very same course and distance as that prestigious event heads up the card at the Vaal on Tuesday and with a few of the runners likely to be nominated, it will be interesting to see how they fare, writes Steve Furnish.
Heading the weights with no less than 63kg are both Boylan Blaze and Master Blaster.
Boylan Blaze
Mike De Kock’s charge has won three from five at this circuit and although he is more often than not seen out over further, he did win his only previous start over today’s course and distance. Usually one to race handy, this son of Al Mufti won well in similar company in his latest outing here and if the talented Anthony Delpech can swiftly get him over from what is not such a good draw, he should be right there again.
Master Blaster
Having won only one of his six starts at this circuit, Master Blaster has not fared so well on sand. That doesn’t tell the whole story though, as last time he won particularly well over today’s course and distance in much stronger company than he faces here. At his best when setting out in front, Dominic Zaki’s charge has been drawn in pole position here and with the not so easy to pass Felix Coetzee in the saddle, he has to rate the one to beat.
Geoff’s Bid
The only coupling in the race is that of Geoff Woodruff. He saddles both Dealsdunn and Parade Prince. Dealsdunn has won three of his five starts on sand. He was off the track for fifteen months prior to finishing some fifteen lengths behind Master Blaster just two weeks ago though, and is best just watched for now.
The stable elect then, especially with the very talented Anton Marcus on board, must surely be Parade Prince. At his best on sand, this son of Parade Leader commands a fair turn of foot on his day. He’s gained four of his six career wins at this circuit and he did win his only previous outing over today’s course and distance. His five most recent successes have all been over 1600m though and this trip could be a bit sharp now.
Star Of Destiny
The veteran Star of Destiny has been battling with consistency of late, but he does still nonetheless retain a high level of ability. He goes particularly well over today’s trip and would be thereabouts if giving of his best.
Fearless Gun
The runner up in the 2009 Emerald Cup, Lucky Houdalakis’ charge was close to the best on sand earlier in his career. He’s without a win 22 starts now though, and having failed to get within twelve lengths of a winner in each of his last three outings, he is not easy to fancy.
Gangsta Fury
Another battling to find his form in recent outings is Gangsta Fury. His two wins on today’s surface have both come over 1200m, but he has won over 1400m twice on turf. He’s finished well down field in each of his last two outings though and his tendency to be slow into stride is going to count against him here as he doesn’t have the best of the draw.
Art Wish
The dark horse of the race is undoubtedly the 3yo Art Wish. This son of Strike Smartly won well when heavily supported on debut over 1200m at this circuit in August and although he did then lose his way when taking on stronger on turf, he has come to hand nicely since moving back to the sand in April. With 61,5kg on his back, Art Wish won with authority over today’s course and distance last time out and although that was in much weaker company, both the second and third placed runners have already won since. Robbie Sage’s charge does now take a big step up in class and drawn widest of the thirteen clearly has no easy task. He could still improve considerably though and on that alone must hold some kind of a chance.
Speed Keeper
As a result of winning two in a row on sand in the early months of 2010, Roy Magner’s charge rose fifteen points in the handicap. He’s failed to get his head in front in nine starts since then, but having been regularly in the frame, the official handicapper has shown him no mercy. He’s sure to be thereabouts again, but a win does look unlikely.
Ryan’s A Lion
A veteran of some 55 starts, the 6yo Ryan’s A Lion regularly races in this class and he does go particularly well over this course and distance. He’s clearly well having won comfortably in his latest outing on turf and if able to overcome his wide draw, should be thereabouts again.
Sermon
Stephen Moffatt’s charge has won three of his ten starts at this track, two of which were over today’s trip. Those three successes were all gained in much weaker company though and he has failed to make his presence felt since taking on stronger.
Enza Plan
This 4yo son of Badger’s Drift runs on well on his day and having cruised in by four on the surface last time out, he is clearly at the top of his game. He is accustomed to taking on much weaker though and now considerably up in class, he won’t find it easy to get in a blow.
Tutenkhamen
With stake earnings of over R430000 this 7yo son of Fard has been a tremendous servant to connections. He’s been steadily sliding down the handicap in recent months, but despite that he is without a win in 22 outings now and once again a place is perhaps his best hope.
About The Pace
They usually set off at a fair clip at this circuit and with the likely favourite Master Blaster at his best from the front that should certainly be the case again here. Master Blaster won particularly well over today’s trip in stronger company last time out and although he does have to shoulder a big mass here, he won’t be easy to beat.
