Captain And Master has potential
THE Pick 6 is well worth catching on the big race days, although the first three legs and last two legs are not going to be easy and sandwiched between them is the open looking GBets Summer Cup.
Class in horseracing is defined as those who are supreme at middle distances but can also beat the best sprinters at their game.
Captain And Master, who runs in Grade 2 Goldrush Derby Run Merchants over 1160m, has this sort of potential but unfortunately has had a tendency to race a bit strongly over further trips.
He is feature class, having finished third in the Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe as a twoyear-old and second to Undercover Agent in the CTS Mile, so his merit rating of 103 is competitive.
He has a long stride, some pace and a fine turn of foot so should be running on strongly and has a chance as the sprinting division is relatively weak at present. The low draws are often hard to win with down the Turffontein straight on big days and some of the fancied horses are drawn low.
Africa Rising
Africa Rising, who gets on well with Lyle Hewitson, has a fair draw and can do better than last time over this course and distance as he was slow away that day.
He is capable of running handy and then staying on. Rivarine bounced back to his best last time after a long layoff and he can also be included off just a three point higher mark.
Pinnacle Peak has earned topweight and his pace and long stride will give him a chance from a standside draw. Wonderwall is 1,5kg under sufferance on official merit ratings but can do better than last time when racing too freely in front.
Romi’s Boy returns from a layoff but has a fine record over course and distance and has to be included. Those six are taken to get punters through although it is tough to ignore any of the runners.
The first leg of the Pick 6 could be won by the classy Gimme A Wave, who will relish the step up in trip. His wide draw is a concern but he looks to be a sort who can relax well and produce a resolute finish so he can be dropped out. He should rise above his 84 merit rating in time so should go close carrying just 54kg.
Shuckra off a merit rating of 81 and having to carry just 52,5kg has to be included as he made a good winning debut over 1600m and should have improved. He has a nice draw. Against The Grain did not beat much last time over this trip but did it effortlessly. He can come from off the pace and Hewitson is up. Firdoas and Bold Eagle have class but it will be tough having to give so much weight away so the first three mentioned could be enough to get punters through.
The second leg for fillies and mares is the Epol Magnolia Handicap over 1160m. Schippers looks to be banker material off just a 90 merit rating. She has a long stride, speed and a turn of foot and is drawn on the right side. She has come into her own this season as a four-year-old.
In her last start she was slow away and was up against the boys, so finishing 2,5 lengths back under handicap conditions was no disgrace. Winter’s Forge has dropped to an attractive merit rating and should be running on from a high draw.
Covered In Snow has won three times over course and distance and has her third run after a layoff, which follows a fine performance last time out over 1000m. Frederico’s Dream and Kissable are pacey and will attempt to take the race by the scruff of the neck so have to be considered too. Wrecking Ball has had a new lease of life. She looked to be one who could not quite stay 1000m, but after being tried over 1400m and 1450m she has since being running on strongly over 1000m so can get this trip, although she was raised four points for her last run and now has a low draw.
Ouro has some good recent form but has a low draw and if she is considered then Captain’s Princess also has to come into the reckoning. Pretty Penny looks talented and returns from a bleeding suspension so can’t be ignored.
The fifth leg is the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Ipi Tombe Challenge over 1600m.
Nafaayes finished a fine second in the Starling Stakes and the form has been franked plus she should be improving.
Fiorella
She looks the one to side with carrying just 51kg. Fiorella has had a good preparation and Roy’s Riviera is coming into her own. Redberry Lane could resort to her old favourite tactic of leading. The courseand-distance suited Green Top should be cherry ripe. Al Danza only just failed to beat the top class Nother Russia the last time she went this course and distance so also has to be considered.
In the last leg Zillzaal will relish the step up in trip having been outpaced and running on strongly on debut over 1200m.
He has a tough draw as does the course and distance suited Indy Ice. Epic Dream has class and looked likely to enjoy this trip but failed the first time he tried it so is given another chance. Stalking should improve and The Sands is better than his last start. That leaves the Summer Cup which will requite plenty of homework.