It’s seldom that a maiden plate makes for one of the big attractions on the card, but the first race at Turffontein on Saturday could be an exception.
While all seasoned racegoers have at one time or another been subjected to rumours of unbeatable first-timers, the pedigree of David Ferraris’s Martinelli should make even the most sceptical punter sit up and take serious notice.
American-bred Martinelli is a half-brother to both South African champion stallion Fort Wood (sire of Horse Chestnut, in case that needs mentioning again!) and to the dam of European champion Dubai Millennium, rated as one of the best horses of all time.
Martinelli is by Thunder Gulch, one of the world’s leading stallions this year and the sire also of Point Given, the leading contender for America’s Horse Of The Year title. Injury has forced Point Given into retirement, a major disappointment for those looking forward to seeing him run on Breeders’ Cup day.
His dam Fall Aspen, won eight races, including grade one success.
Ferraris’s charge was carded to race at a midweek meeting a couple of months ago but was scratched. If this representative of equine royalty makes it to Turffontein on Saturday, don’t expect a long price. The first race, over 1400m, is off at 12.45pm.
The fun shouldn’t stop there. Rip Curl, winner of the grade one Gold Medallion last season, makes his first appearance as a three-year-old in the sixth, a C division handicap over 1400m. He has won three of his past six runs and in that time was beaten only by last season’s champion two-year-old Palace Line, including the thrilling short-head defeat in the Premier’s Juvenile at Greyville on July day.
Ferraris contests the race with useful Set Afire, but may have to settle for the runner-up berth here.
Geoff Woodruff’s filly Carmel Dancer also makes her seasonal debut in the Spring Trial over 1600m. Clearly talented, this daughter of Rambo Dancer has recorded her past three wins over further and just held on in her last start when starting at a prohibitive 1-4.
Ormonde Ferraris’s three-year-old Fading Light runs as if she will relish this stiff mile and rates as Carmel Dancer’s biggest danger.
In the third, a maiden plate for three-year-old fillies over 2000m, Super Ally should make her presence felt. She boasts solid, consistent form and looks ready to win.
Woodruff’s Weston Blaze drops in class to a graduation plate over 1800m in the fourth after scoring in a feature race. The son of Western Winter seems to improve with every run and will be a warm order. His main danger could be Weiho Mawing’s Badger Land colt Proprietor, who gets 2,5kg from the favourite.
Cupid’s Arrow could win the affection of punters in the eighth, a novice plate over 1400m, if confirming the promise she has shown in her first two starts. The unfashionably bred four-year-old surprised with a good second to hot favourite Spoil Sport in her first run and followed up with a win.
Scottsville best bets: Spaniels Ears (race 2); Evening Cloud (race 4); Oratory (race 5); Cavendish (race 6); Sur Passing (race 8).