Nicklaus has been a frustrating horse to follow but can finally reward his supports at Greyville this evening. The Duncan Howells-trained gelding has developed an alarming habit of shifting ground under pressure which has twice cost him and his supporters in the boardroom so they will still be wary of a plunge when the gelding runs in the Michael Cocks & Associates Handicap.

However, stable rider Keagan de Melo is now painfully aware of this trait, having been aboard when on the wrong end of the latest protest, and will no doubt have been issued specific instructions by Howells.

Nicklaus is something of a poly track specialist and has finished ‘first’ in his last two starts over the surface split by a disastrous showing in the soft at Scottsville in a race where five horses finished tailed off.

That said the gelding is in good form and can finally earn a fifth victory in the face of some useful opposition.

Charles Laird saddles three runners, best of which could be Main Submission that belied his long odds when a close-up second in a strong handicap under Lerato Mohapi. He is sure to be a lot shorter in the market tonight and will be a threat to Nicklaus.

Winter Auralius can add to Howells’s growing list of winners as he has his third run after a lengthy break when lining up in the CMH Honda Pinetown Handicap. Winter Auralius is the choice of De Melo ahead of top weighted stable companion Chicago Beat who finally got it all together to skate home by eight lengths when shedding his maiden over course and distance.

A major threat could come in the form of Roy’s Taxi. Kom Naidoo has called on the services of Anton Marcus with Anthony Delpech deserting to ride recent winner Napoli, but Roy’s Taxi has some useful recent form to stronger and from pole position will make Winter Auralius gallop to the line.

The game mare Kept Secret is long overdue and can finally get it right in the PMB Auto Sales Handicap. She is a victim of her consistency as the handicappers have been reluctant to drop her rating but two of her most obvious dangers, Sarabi and Hot Chilli, have had their four-claiming apprentices replaced by jockeys which could be to their detriment and give Kept Secret the edge.

Turffontein-based Tony Nassif will be hoping that Icy Avalanche can go to the well once again when the gelding lines up in the Sealit Handicap, opening leg of the Pick 6 on the eight-race card. Icy Avalanche got a hefty nine-point shunt up the handicap for his last win but he has taken to the poly track, winning his last two races on the surface. His last run got a major boost when runner-up, Chrome Blue, got up in the dying strides to deny a strong handicap field at Scottsville on Wednesday. This being a lowly bottom division handicap, Nassif must fancy the chances of his runner.

Of the others, the ‘Roy’s’ could be in news again as Roy’s Sailor comes into the race off some consistent recent form but of concern is that Alyson Wright’s runner finished last of 12 when sent over tonight’s trip.

Charles Laird has had some recent health issues but he is firmly back in the saddle at his Summerveld yard and the results are showing. Laird sends out the lightly raced Variety Romp who steps u

p in trip and is sure to improve on his last run and could push Icy Avalanche to the wire.

 

But in all, punters are faced with a competitive card where exotic bet bankers are in short supply.

By Andrew Harrison