Run Fox Run, beaten only once in six starts, can celebrate the return of racing to the Western Cape by taking the TAB Pinnacle Stakes at Kenilworth today.
Greg Cheyne’s mount met her Waterloo when starting favourite for the Cape Flying Championship on Sun Met day and finishing just over a length fourth to Russet Air who she meets on the same terms.
There is no logical reason why she should reverse the placings except for a suspicion that she might be still on the upgrade. “I think she is looking for a little bit further but coming out fresh could be in her favour,” says Brett Crawford who had two of the first three winners when racing resumed in Durban on Monday. “She hasn’t had a grass gallop but that’s the same for everybody. I have done as much as I can with her at home, she has done very well and she looks great.”
The Philippi trainer is also expecting good runs from Pacific Trader (5-1) and Bold Respect (6-1). “They have quite a bit in their favour and they like to run fresh, especially Pacific Trader.”
But the bookmakers reckon that Candice Bass-Robinson’s Milnerton yard houses the main dangers to the selection who was favourite at 5-2 yesterday morning. Russet Air (28-10) and the Bidvest Majorca winner Clouds Unfold (33-10) are the two highest rated horses in the race. Apparently not too much notice need be taken about Aldo Domeyer opting for the latter because he is now retained by Drakenstein and this is the filly’s prep for KZN – she will run in either the Tibouchina or the Rising Sun Gold Challenge before going for the Jonsson Workwear Garden Province.
“I think Russet Air has probably got the better chance over this 1 000m,” says their trainer while adjusted merit ratings suggest that the race lies between the top five.
The Crawford-trained Winter Flight opened odds-on for the opening Social Distancing Maiden Juvenile but he started coughing and has been scratched. The vote goes to newcomer Jet Dark. At one time you could get 9-2 but he is now 16-10 favourite and is held in high regard.
“Every time we put him on the grass before the lockdown he surprised us and every time we worked him with a horse we think highly of he beat him,” Justin Snaith said yesterday, adding: “I think our horses are quite ready – follow the yard.”
The selection is by Trippi, cost R200 000 and is closely related to the Mercury Sprint runner-up Night Trip. Another that Snaith mentioned is Hyde Park (5-1) who takes on older horses in the Stay Safe With A Mask Maiden (race three). Hello Tomorrow is favourite but I prefer to take a chance with Domeyer’s mount Anmer Hall (7-2) who ran green on debut.
Glen Kotzen, in double KZN form on Monday, may take the Juvenile Fillies (race two) with I’m A Lady who has most to fear from Stuck On You, Fiftyshadesdarker and French Fling.
By Michael Clower
