David Thiselton

THE LISTED SPRING SPREE STAKES heralds he beginning of the always awaited Highveld Spring Season and it means the province’s best horses will soon be seen out on the lush green grass that the spring rains bring. 

However, the going today will still be fast as those rains are yet to arrive.

The classy Puerto Manzano could be the one to beat in the 1200m handicap contest. This long-striding Argentinian-bred would prefer further but did dead-heat with the course and distance specialist Thumbs Up over the course and distance when making his debut. He will be running fresh after a three-and-a-half month layoff and is drawn in pole so could mow them down late in the race despite having to carry second topweight of 61.5kg. The filly Rapid Fire will be ideally suited to this tight track as she has adequate cruising speed and a fine turn of foot. She will also be doing her best work late from a plum draw of two. Vaseem has thrived in the yard of Roy Magner, recording a second, a third and two wins in that order. He is distance suited but does have to overcome a draw of eight, which will be especially tough considering he likes to be up there. Visiway has a lot of speed and in the fast conditions will likely attempt to steal it although a draw of six won’t make it easy to get to the front and this will be a three point higher mark than he has ever won off. Mr Flood is the topweight and has to carrying 64.5kg. He was being touted as the best sprinter in the country in the middle of last year’s national lockdown but then went off the boil. However, his last run on August 1 was an improvement on three dismal performances before that so a six month layoff might well have been beneficial and he could surprise from a fair draw. Willow Express would prefer further but does have some speed and could also be involved in the finish from a good draw of three. Chijmes is a front-running type but would prefer a lot further. Chief Of State is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance but would probably prefer 1000m.

The previous race is the Lady’s Stakes (Non-Black Type) over 1200m and the talented Philanthropist filly Full Velocity could make it a fifth win in eight starts. She is currently merit rated only 93 after being brought on slowly and she looks to have more to come. Thumbs Up has won three and placed second once in five starts over this course and distance and will be the chief threat from draw four despite having to carry topweight of 60kg and give Full Velocity 5.5kg. The youngster Big Burn will also be an interesting runner as she has a lot of pace and the ability to stay on strongly although it won’t be easy having to give Full Velocity just half-a-kilogram. All Of Me is always capable of popping up and has a plum draw of two. Herstel from pole position is just half-a-kilogram under sufferance and will also be capable of picking up the pieces carrying just 52kg.