Andrew Harrison
Early in the season, Justin Snaith indicated that Native Tongue was headed for the Highveld spring season with the Dingaans a possible target. Things didn’t quite work out as he ran into a couple of road-blocks before then and he stayed home at Summerveld. However, his penultimate start was a cracker when finishing under a length back to Share Holder giving the winner 1kg. It was a stout effort at the weights but he then followed up with a modest fourth when trying the poly for the first time.
He faces Share Holder again in a Pinnacle Stakes over the Hollywoodbets Scottsville mile today but this time is in receipt of 4.5kh which should see Native Tongue turn the tables on his rival.
A bigger threat to his chances could come from Gavin van Zyl’s gelding Greenlighttoheaven who has improved with each outing since being given a break after a no-show in the Gr1 Gold Medallion. He was doing his best work late when runner-up to Ralph The Rascal last time out and the extra furlong will suit.
Share Holder has been a touch disappointing but is nicely weighted here and if he does puts in his best, he can go close while Banzai Pipeline did it the hard way when shedding his maiden but he shows some scope and could be better than his rating.
Bankers always come in handy when it comes to the exotic bets and Tony Rivalland could provide when he saddles Camora in the fourth. Camora was close-up in all three starts and is rated way better than all the exposed runners. He should be hard to beat unless there is a springer in the pack. Of the balance, Toothless caught the eye on debut and is sure to improve with the experience while Cardboard Cowboy has had plenty of chances but has been close-up of late with the sting out of the ground.
Café Pacifica will be in warm order in the sixth but she will faced some stiff opposition. She goes this trip for the first time but has smart form over sprints. From a good draw he rates a strong chance. Assistant Stuart Ferrie is in charge of the Drier stable while the boss enjoys the Cape summer and Ferrie saddles Parallel Universe who make good improvement at his second start. He will much prefer this trip and is likely to give Café Pacifica a hard race. Marcus rides first-timer Galabier for Gareth van Zyl and makes his debut over 1500m. He is bred to get a trip so one to watch in the market.
The first juvenile race of the current KZN season produced a cracking finish with Sheldon and Aisling separated by a nostril at the line and the balance of the field strung out behind like the washing. Both showed exceptional pace and because the race was moved from Scottsville to Greyville the distance was extended to 1000m.
It’s back to 800m tomorrow where the filly takes on males, but they will need to be on their toes if they are to catch her. Mike Miller, who saddled Sheldon, has five runners entered and will know exactly what he is up against.
The card kicks off with a work-riders maiden where Aaron Xabendlini may have the answer in Garth Puller’s runner Drama Queen. She has her first run for the stable but comes with some solid Cape form in strong company and although down a furlong in trip, she does rate the horse to beat. Father’s Frost was unlucky not to win the last work rider’s race after finding plenty of traffic. Winning rider Callum Dixon takes over from Tristan Mustard who has moved to the UK to work for top jumps trainer Nicky Henderson but if Father’s Frost can repeat his last effort, Drama Queen will have to pick up her feet.
