Professor Brian is unbeaten since being gelded and trainer Joey Ramsden has done a masterful job in keeping the gelding winning and keeping his merit rating in check. The Australian-bred is looking for six wins on the bounce when he lines up in the Gr2 Post Merchants at Greyville tomorrow night and although officially out at the weights he could still be well under the handicapping radar.
Brett Crawford (Nkosi Hlophe)
Professor Brian was going nowhere before being gelded and as a result his merit rating had dropped dramatically. So when he did embark on his winning streak it was obviously a mark well below what he was capable off.
Strictly on paper Professor Brian has it all to do at the weights in spite of the handicappers pushing him up the maximum for each win.
Victory on Friday will give the handicappers more leeway in adjusting his rating but it will be too late for the opposition.
Brett Crawford, who saddled Captain America to win the Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge last Saturday, will be two-handed with Search Party and Gulf Storm although the former looks to be the pick. He came in for some quiet market support in the recent Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint at Scottsville and only had the winner Bull Valley ahead of him. He has had a steady build-up into the Post Merchants and should be cherry-ripe.
Top weight Talktothestars did not have the best of luck on the Tsogo Sun Sprint, being checked just as he was making his run and losing all momentum. Top rider Bernard Fayd’Herbe will be aboard and with a clear run, could prove more than just dangerous to Professor Brian’s winning run.
Veteran galloper Barbosa has lost none of his zest for racing and was a fine third behind Bull Valley in the Tsogo Sun. He does have a better record down the straight but has a favourable inside draw and can be competitive.
Being a proper handicap, the Post Merchants often dishes up a surprise result and the likes of Gulf Storm, Amazing Strike and Lord Balmoral are others to consider especially if attracting a measure of market support on the day.
There is much at stake for some runners in the Track & Ball Oaks and Track & Ball Derby at Scottsville on Sunday, both Gr3 over 2400m. The names are something of a misnomer as both races are open to all ages but be that as it may, both races are seriously competitive.
With the final field for next month’s Vodacom Durban July to be decided on Monday, either of Witchcraft or Girl On The Run will need to win the Oaks, and win well, if they are to be considered for the July. Witchcraft won this race last year but has only had two outings since, the latest coming nearly a year after her penultimate start, so this may be a tall order. Yellow Wood Handicap winner Girl On The Run has finished runner-up in two starts since returning from a lengthy break and should strip at her peak. She looks the more likely candidate.
Mr Winsome, supplemented for the July by Dean Kannemeyer, is in a similar position in the Derby. He was running on strongly from last when third in the Gr2 Betting World 1900 behind Ten Gun Salute but although his recent form is solid, he will need victory on Sunday if he is to come into the final reckoning. His last two wins have come at Scottsville, the last an exercise canter over the distance, and although he takes on much stronger here, he does look the part.
By Andrew Harrison
