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Saturday’s Turffontein inside track meeting has been moved to the standside track due to the inside surface being waterlogged. The standside surface is reported to be soft but after gallops on Friday, it was confirmed that the track is currently raceable, though further rain could still have an impact.
Distance changes for the now standside meeting should be noted by form students:
Race 1-1400m; Race 2-1400m; Race 6-2400m; Race 8-1400m; Race 9-1400m; Race 11-1160m.
Highveld racing fans haven’t seen any action since the Vaal meeting on 9 February and while they’ll be itching to see their favourites back in action, trainers have also had a frustrating time of it.
Mike de Kock commented: “We haven’t had an interruption this long for ages. We haven’t been able to work horses on the tracks at Randjesfontein, so none of us will be sure what to expect when they start racing again. I guess we’re all pretty much in the same boat, we need racing to get our runners fit.”
Mike has done most preparatory work on the stable’s treadmill, so his runners will be coming to Turffontein at reasonable levels off fitness, but not exactly where they should be. “I am not sure how they will shape against the other contenders, and the soft track will also play a role. We’ll have to wait and see.”
In looking at the form, and accepting that all stables are on the back foot, Mike gave some notes on his seven Saturday entries:
Race 1: “Turnthebeataround needs further than 1400m. I’m running her to keep her ticking over, a more suitable race will come along. Quartet chance.”
Race 4: “Destiny Of Souls has been looking for this trip (1800m). The draw worries me and he is up in class, but he’ll have a chance here, include him.”
Race 7: “Arividicio is another horse I’ve been waiting to try over a mile. His last two runs have been good and I think this will suit him. He has a chance, he’s a fair sort. Climate Control is consistent, he gives of his best but I reckon this is too short for him now.”
Race 8: “Forever Mine is not as well drawn as last week when they abandoned the race meeting. He’s not as his best yet, he is prepping for the Hawaii Stakes in March. Quartet chance.”
Race 9: Lushozi Shoop is a nice filly and drawn very well. She’s in the deep end, running here with a bunch of colts, some unknown factors among recent Maiden winners. However, I do feel she has a future, so put her in your play, one to watch.”
Race 11: “Cool Winter is still fairly well rated for this Classified Stakes contest. He won on objection last time, but he and his rival Irontail were clear of the third horse by, about four lengths. He remains in good form, he must have an eachway shout. But as said, with all the rain it’s not easy to give confidence.”
Last week’s trainer comments on first-timers didn’t yield the expected winner in Snow Pilot (though he ran a good fourth on his Kenilworth debut), but it may be worth giving Mike Miller’s first-up runner Winter Games (What A Winter) some consideration at Scottsville on Sunday. Miller’s comment in Computaform is, “a very nice colt” and the two-year-old has already drawn some early betting support.
Miller has been doing particularly well with his young horses and also has a winning chance in Race 2 with three-year-old Reach for the Stars, a well-bred runner, gelded after a good debut last December in a race that has already produced four subsequent winners.
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