Scottsville hosts the popular Festival Of Speed tomorrow with the running of four Gr1 sprints headed by the Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint. It is a wide open handicap with any number of runners in with winning chances. Vaughan Marshall’s runner Exelero does not have the best of draws but he has a handy galloping weight and found his best form over the course and distance last time out.
Runner-up that day was Captain Alfredo who franked that form by winning next time out. He took an eight-point jump in the ratings which could hamper his chances come tomorrow but he and trainer Dean Kannemeyer are both in good form.
Red Ray makes a return and has only had one run overseas since finishing second to Normanz in this race two years back. He jumped from the worst of the draw that day and Joey Ramsden was adamant that with a better gate he could well have caught Normanz. Red Ray’s form must be taken on trust as little can be read into the riding arrangements. Anton Marcus will have battled to make the weight on either of Seventh Plain, now with blinkers, or Guiness.
Top weight Talktothestars appears better over shorter but is tremendously game while Captain’s Causeway was chasing hard behind Captain Alfredo and with his light weight will be a threat. African Ruler faces his toughest test but with a light weight and a good draw is another to consider in a difficult race.
The Secret Is Out (Nkosi Hlophe)
The shock withdrawal of Gr1 SA Nursery winner Cloth Of Cloud because of a respiratory infection has left the way clear for a Vaughan Marshall feature double as he saddles the progressive The Secret Is Out.
The Secret Is Out is a full sister to 2012 Allan Robertson winner All Is Secret also trained by Marshall and both were by supreme stallion and Marshall-trained Captain Al. The Secret Is Out has had the benefit of a win over the course and she did it in style which makes her a big runner.
Zaakhira was a facile winner on debut in good time so could be anything while stable companion Fursa won the SA Fillies Nursery and has won over further so will not be troubled by this trip.
Blaze Of Mystery is unbeaten over course and distance and won comfortably last start so also has a shout.
Marcus will have had the pick of the Jooste runners in the Gr1 Gold Medallion so Always In Charge looks the ‘right’ one after his easy maiden win. However, Act Of Loyalty won well under Weichong Marwing and the winning distance is deceiving as he won much more easily than the narrow margin would suggest.
The unbeaten PE sensation Oomph has his first run for Mike Azzie and will be tested in this field. PE horses have done well at this venue so Oomph must be included in all calculations but he will be put to the acid test tomorrow.
Horse Guards comes from a stable that has won four of the last five runnings with Dennis Drier looking for his sixth Medallion win with Horse Guards. The son of Horse Chestnut has won both of his starts in good fashion and given the stable record in the race must have a great chance. Riverine and the filly Seattle Singer are others to consider.
Carry On Alice looks the banker on the card as she defends her title in the Gr1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Fillies Sprint, a race she won last year and she is still in scintillating form. She will be hard to beat. There should be very little between Lanner Falcon and Real Princess given their last run but the former was having her first outing since January and should strip fitter which could see her turn the tables. Princess Royal is always on the verge of a boil-over but she gets on well with Anthony Andrews and she too should have come on from her effort behind Real Princess and Lanner Falcon.
Andrew Harrison
