Consistent Raining Roses appears to have the R100 000 Spring Trial over 1 600m at Newmarket on Sunday at her mercy.
The Geoff Woodruff-trained four-year-old has solid form and ran a cracker at her most recent start, going down narrowly to the useful Escoleta Fitz in the Garden Province Stakes over 1 600m at Greyville.
Although she has never won over the distance, the daughter of Al Mufti has performed creditably and with all her main rivals here having one or another doubt hanging over their chances, Piere Strydom’s mount must be the one to go with.
Stable companion Pacific Blue is a top-class five-year-old, having won six of her nine races, but she has not seen a racetrack since March last year. One has to accept Strydom has chosen the fitter of Woodruff’s pair.
Ormond Ferraris saddles Bel Byou filly Fading Light, and while this one is certainly capable of upsetting, she hasn’t run to anything like her best form for months. Her last run came after a four-month break and she could improve on this.
David Ferraris sends out True Match, who has shown useful ability but needs to put two poor runs behind her. She also returns from a three-month break, raising further doubts about her readiness — despite the stable’s devastating form last weekend.
Of the rest, only Lady Margaret Hall seems remotely capable of snatching a place.
The R80 000 Sophomore Sprint for three-year-old colts over 1 200m at Kenilworth in Cape Town on Saturday is a far more difficult proposition, but Justin Snaith’s Mambo could be the one to side with. The son of champion sire Jallad skated in by a widening 6,75 lengths in a maiden plate a fortnight ago and although his opposition here is stronger, he looks capable of building on that impressive win.
Sevillano, a son of Cordoba, has not been troubled in his past two starts, winning by four-length margins, and could prove even better if pressed.
Vaughan Marshall’s Trade Director failed in heavy going in the Langerman last time but won his debut impressively a few weeks earlier, easily beating subsequent dual winner Asprey, who also races here and has a chance again.
Millennium Dream was reportedly hanging when 4,75 lengths third to Sevillano last time. He now gets 4,5kg on that one and can make his presence felt.
At Turffontein on Saturday champion juvenile colt National Currency makes his seasonal debut in the sixth. ”Striker” Strydom has a chance to make amends for his indifferent ride when beaten by Suntagonal in the Premiers at Greyville on July day. Don’t expect any sort of odds from the bookies on this one.
At Greyville on Friday night Veni Vici in the third seems the best bet on a tough card. In the fourth King’s Trophy has the worst draw in a big field over 1 600m but at the weights he looks far too good for the best of this field.
Russian Finger could point the way home in the second.