Andrew Harrison
It was probably asking a little too much of Kingsmeads Krystl to take on winners in her first three starts, including two group races. She takes on maidens for the first time in the card opener on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and barring any springers amongst the first timers, she should take a lot of beating.
Alyson Wright’s filly was far from disgraced in any of those starts and in spite of finishing over a dozen lengths back to Desert Miracle in the Gr2 Golden Slipper, she was in the pack with the rest of them as Mike de Kock’s filly sauntered to an eight-length victory.
She makes her seasonal debut here coming off a 74-day break, and could prove a little too classy.
The scrap for the minor placings could be close. Sea Of Tranquility has come to hand of late and with the blinkers off she rates a strong chance in this line-up. Winter Journey has shown some recent improvement and was a beaten favourite last run. Fateful Mistress and Fearless Kitty are others to consider.
Duquesne Whistle finished runner-up on Monday but was still a runner here at time of writing. However, it would be a little surprising if she does make the start in the second and her defection would make it slightly easier for stable companion Claudina who has improved with every run. She is lightly raced and can bring some relief to the MJ Odendaal stable that has been finding the winner’s enclosure a little elusive in recent weeks.
Duncan Howells has opened the stable doors this afternoon and saddles 11 runners, starting with Sea Of Tranquility in the first. Next up is Shield Maiden in the opening leg of the Pick 6. The daughter of William Longsword is not half as talented as her half-sister Via Africa but she is lightly raced and appears to be improving with each outing. This step up in trip may be what she’s looking for. Indomavel may have found her last run too short and from a good draw will be a threat while New Orleans has not been far back in two sprints and should enjoy the extra furlong.
Howells saddles Naval Secret in the fourth and the gelding has come good for his new stable. He had a tough draw on the poly last time out and has pulled a better marble here although he will not be short of opposition in a race where most of the runners are in with a winning chance. Master ToBe has been much improved in blinkers and had tough draws at his last. Fromheretoeternity comes with some smart Highveld form over the trip but took a big jump in the handicap for her last win. Euphotic and Pink Floyd are others to consider.
A small field lines up in the fifth where Keep The Lights on reverts to Graduation company and looks the part. Sofia Erin is talented but has developed an aversion to the starting stalls. If the starter’s assistants manage to load her and she jumps she could be a threat. Mark Dixon sends out Vivid Jet who returns from a break. She is way better than her last two but may just need this outing.
Gavin van Zyl saddles River Doon in the sixth and it should pay to keep close tabs on the betting. She showed early ability and a promising return from a lengthy ten-month break after her maiden win. Roha has been taking on stronger on the Highveld and she was second best in a strong line-up last start and should make a bold bid here. Quepid has some useful form in strong company and Maris Corolina won well against weaker last start and although she steps up in class she is in good form and has another handy galloping weight.
Paul Peter has sent down a strong raiding party and Astrix can give a good account after running out a comfortable winner last time out. The blinkers seemed to have helped and from a good draw must have a strong chance. Native Tongue has smart form in good company. His last win was over this course and distance in a feature and at best should go close. Tristful is the best weighted runner and featured strongly in top company in Champions Season. He is likely to start favourite.
The Tony Nassif-trained Consol Queen is likely to start at long odds for the last where she faces a useful field. However, she has been showing steady recent improvement and off a light weight looks primed for this. Silver Maria is long overdue and has been costly to follow but she goes well over course and distance and must have a change of luck anytime soon. Princess Anastasia has threatened but yet to deliver but the blinkers come off and she steps up to what may be a more suitable trip and Aquae Sulis has come good of late and switches to what looks to be her preferred surface.
