Extradite looks a fair bet when she lines up in the Soccer 6 Handicap at Durbanville today. With the Western Cape season a little over two months away stables will be warming up their prospective runners for the big features and Extradite can stake her claim.
Yet to finish out of the first three, Extradite makes her seasonal debut for Candice Bass-Robinson after being sent to Port Elizabeth to contest a small feature. Starting favourite, she was kicking on from behind after finding traffic and losing position early in the race. That proved more than she could handle and she was still two lengths adrift of winner O Tamara at the line.
She is back over a sprint today and with a good draw she should handle the Durbanville turn.
Turnpike has the benefit of having shed her maiden over course and distance and Lucy Woodruff, saddling for her father Geoff, will have hopes of scuppering the likely favourite.
Donovan Dillon. Former head boy of the SA Jockey’s Academy, has established himself as one of the leading riders in the Western Cape and Joey Ramsden was quick to realise his talents. Dillon partners Aviemore for Ramsden in the Place Your Bets Maiden where he should come on nicely from his first two outings and have a strong chance in what looks to be a modest line-up.
The lightly raced Quduiari has run second in his last two starts and the blinkers appear to have sharpened him up. He has also improved since being sent over ground and rates the horse they all have to beat. Soaring Past is on the up and showed tons of improvement at his second start and he could give plenty of cheek.
Figure Of Grey has let the side down on a few occasions but is seldom far off the action. She has been doing okay over the mile and should be competitive in the Racing Association Maiden Plate. Under Milkwood did not quicken last time but was reported to have been coughing. Her earlier form suggests that she is way better that that run and she is one for the shortlist.
The Itsarush.co.za Handicap looks decidedly tricky but Edict Of Nantes put in a strong finish when shedding his maiden. He has a difficult draw to overcome but looks progressive and can go in again.
Cream Soda won his maiden in his penultimate start most impressively and can be forgiven for his recent failure when he lines up in the Racing. It’s A Rush Handicap. Harold Crawford’s runner broke through the front of the stalls last time out and it clearly affected him as he finished way down field He does look better than that and is worth another chance with a handy draw and fair weight.
Andrew Harrison
