Back on the Greyville poly tonight, Soldier’s Code can make amends for his disappointing showing on the Scottsville turf last time out when he runs in the MR 78 Handicap, sixth on the card. Dean Kannemeyer’s runner disappeared out of the back door in some testing going at Scottsville, in a run way below his recent poly form.

In a race run at a cracking gallop, Soldier’s Code was up with the early pace for most of the race but once in the straight went backwards steadily, eventually trailing home a distance back.

Eric Ngwane

All this was in stark contrast to his poly form where he had won three of his last four starts, all over tonight’s course and distance. With a plum draw and apprentice Eric Ngwane giving some relief in the saddle, Soldier’s Code could find himself back in the winner’s enclosure.

But while Soldier’s Code was trailing home Magical Bet was at the other end of the contest fighting it out with Run Rhino Run and it will be interesting to see how the race stacks up this evening. Glen Kotzen’s runner got home under a driving ride from Muzi Yeni, running on hard off a strong pace.

That form has been franked with fourth-placed Baltic Amber running out an easy winner at Scottsville last Sunday.

The poly, however, is a different proposition and given Soldier’s Code’s earlier form on the synthetic surface there is not likely to be much between the two this evening.

Yogas Govender is slowly starting to find his feet as he gets a better class horse in his yard and he pins his hopes on top weight Sovereign Reign. The gelding has shown up well in his two outings on the poly and the rise in trip will be in his favour.

Belinda Impey, who has a small string at Ashburton, turns out her fair share of winners and Music World can add to her tally in the MR 80 Handicap although the daughter of Ideal World faces a daunting task. Only once out of the money in her last five starts Music World has been most consistent and was a close-up fourth over the Scottsville mile last time out beaten by Little Chapel. She is up in trip tonight and can turn the tables on Little Chapel who is also in the line-up and, judging by the betting, was something of a surprise winner.

A tougher opponent could be Jet Intombi who was up against much stronger at her last outing and finished a creditable third to the progressive Playboy Buddy.

Andrew Harrison