The debate on whether trainers are or are not obliged to give out information on their first-timers in a race has become a little touchy and when one looks at it in an unbiased way as someone who never backs these young horses, there are valid points made for either side.

To put my point in clear perspective, I have never backed a first-timer and I have never, in more than 35 years as a racing journalist, asked a trainer about any of his or her runners. I have always operated on my own form study assessment. There was one occasion when I stupidly changed my Pick 6 perm to bank a horse which, according to another journalist who “got it from the horse’s mouth” – the trainer – that it was impossible to lose. It was beaten by one of the horses I had taken out of my perm.

Trainer Sean Tarry expressed his views on the matter in a lengthy article in The Racegoer yesterday and made some valid points. However, while for a number of reasons I do not see why trainers should not comment on their runners, I would also like to caution punters not to accept those comments as gospel as there are too many factors that could play into the situation.

There has been the long-standing argument that owners spend a lot of money in buying the horses and covering the training fees and they should therefore have “first bite at the cherry” to help recover some of those costs. That is a valid point and I don’t see why they should not have that chance.

The simple fact is that the racing public will never have a chance of getting the best price even if trainers come out and say they think their runner will win. The “stable” will already have secured that and once a stable bet on a runner is placed with the bookmakers the word spreads and the official betting will show it both with the bookies and on the tote.

But, for the average punter it is not about getting the best price, it is a question of backing the winner at whatever price. Sure, they would like to get 10-1 instead of 18-10 but it is better to take the 18-10 instead of backing the 10-1 shot that loses.

Racing is not an absolute science and if one goes back over the years and sees the number of “good things” that have been beaten then one realizes that there is a lot more to racing than the opinion of the trainer. Even in races where collateral form is available, trainers have not always got it right.

As far as first-timers are concerned, I believe trainers would not be doing themselves or their patrons down by making a fair comment on their runners – something like “he’s a nice horse and is fit and working well. He is bred to go further but has shown good pace. There is a lot of talk about so-and-so’s runner but I believe my horse could run into the money.”

It is common knowledge that if a stable backs a first-timer to win they have already tried the horse against a proven horse and know that on the ability it has shown it should win its first race. They would have already secured their price before as most stables have their preferred bookie that would more than likely give them the stretched odds to obtain the information and then lay off the bet with other bookies. The word then travels like wildfire which shows when a first-timer is priced up at the first call at short odds.

The dangers of backing first-timers even if trainers comment on them are plenty and include things like the excitement and nervousness of the occasion which could see them getting worked up and sweating up or giving problems at the starting stalls or even not getting away on terms. They may not have the confidence in a bunched field or they could be too eager and do too much early.

My advice would be to watch the betting bearing in mind the comments of the trainers, see how they move to the start then pick a couple and back them for a place or as a swinger. You can’t get hurt and success will boost your confidence in your ability to pick them on their appearance, breeding, the betting and the comments of the trainers.

So Tarry is very right about the fact that punters should involve themselves fully in the game. Get the form books and study them closely and even go to the extent of studying pedigrees. It is a fascinating sport and there is nothing more rewarding than picking a winner that beats the favourite based purely on your own study and observation.

Yes, and go to the course. Study the animal in the flesh and learn to note what a fit horse looks like and how it moves as well as its temperament. These are beautiful creatures and in some ways they could tell you more than what the trainer is prepared to.

I seldom back a horse on the nose but I remember a case at Scottsville when I saw a filly in the ring. She had disappointed in another race and was not the favourite on the day in question.  But when I saw her and remembered how she had looked previously, I went straight to the tote and had the biggest win bet I have ever had on her. She won with ease.

To get back to the subject, transparency in racing is good and in this day where one can bet in a variety of ways it is not easy for a trainer to “hide” a good horse. One cannot deny that the information can leak through various channels including stable staff, jockeys and spotters.

In the end, all the punters want is a fair run for their money – and they are entitled to it.

Richard McMillan

New Predator is on the prowl for another graded-race win in the R1-million Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile on Saturday 5 November.

Nominations for the Charity Mile only close on Monday, but Johan Janse van Vuuren has already penciled in three horses he would like to run in the Grade 2 race and New Predator is his “main contender” at this stage, with inaugural Grand Heritage hero Irish Pride and classy filly Negroamaro in supporting roles.

“I’m hoping all three get good draws,” the Vaal-based trainer said, hinting that their participation might hinge on the ballot for barrier positions.

New Predator, who won a Maiden Plate on Charity Mile Day last year, certainly has the form to be a big runner in the 1600m race. He went on to finish a close second to Noah From Goa in the Grade 2 Dingaans on Summer Cup Day, third when not well ridden in the Grade 1 Horse Chestnut Stakes and then won the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes at Greyville in May.

New Predator’s run in the Daily News 2000 can easily be explained by his trainer, stating bluntly that his programme will not include the SANSUI Summer Cup or the Sun Met because “I don’t think he stays 2000m”.

His final run as a three-year-old was in the Gold Challenge in June and New Predator finished fourth behind Mac De Lago. He had his first run since then in the Grade 2 Joburg Spring Challenge over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track last Saturday and finished strongly for third behind Kangaroo Jack.

New Predator

“I’m very happy with that run,” confirmed Janse van Vuuren. “He needed it slightly and it was slow run, which played into Kangaroo Jack’s hands. New Predator enjoys the Standside ‘mile’. He’s run three very good races there and must be a contender in the Charity Mile.”

After that, said the trainer, his plans for New Predator included a short trip to Cape Town for a Listed race in December and the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.

Five-time winner Irish Pride, he said, “won a good race in the Grand Heritage, but on the face of it, that was only a MR 90 Handicap and the Charity Mile is not the same. He’ll enjoy the 100m extra but will have a lot more to do.”

Negroamaro, who has turned into something of a bridesmaid since winning the Grade 3 Fillies Mile on Summer Cup Day last year, will have a dual entry, in the Charity Mile and the 1800m Yellowwood Handicap (Grade 3) on the same day. Her participation in the Charity Mile is contingent on how well she fares in a Conditions Plate on Saturday next week. “We’ll see how she takes that run and how well she draws before making any decisions,” said Janse van Vuuren.

The Charity Mile is the most special race on the South African calendar because 16 charities take home a collective R1 million at the end of the meeting. Each horse in the Charity Mile is publically represented by a celebrity and runs for a nominated charity. The finishing positions determining how much each charity receives from R150,000 for first to R50,000 for the charities represented by the horses who finish further back than fourth.

TABnews

Turffontein has an intriguing eight race card today and the those who do their homework could be rewarded with some healthy exotic dividends.

The highest rated race on the card is a 2600m Pinnacle Stakes event. It is not easy to find a best bet on the card, and staying events are not usually the races to find them in, but nevertheless the Galileo colt Kinaan is the nomination. He is officially 3,5kg under sufferance with the long striding filly Zafira.

Furthermore, the latter hails from the stable of Weiho Marwing, who has an outstanding record in staying races. Lastly, Zafira is by Silvano, so should be coming into her own now as a four-year-old. Kinaan beat Zafira by 3 lengths in the Gr 2 eLan Gold Cup over 3200m and is now 3,5kg worse off, which should put the filly slightly ahead on paper over this trip.

However, there are two factors which hand the verdict to Kinaan. Firstly, he was caught wide the whole way in the Gold Cup, while the filly had the rail. Secondly, he has a good recent run under his belt over the too sharp 1450m, where he ran a surprise second at odds of 28/1. Zafira, on the other hand, is making her seasonal reappearance.

Kinaan looks to be on the up and on a card where bankers are not easy to come by he is the one who is also nominated for that award. However, the less brave should include Zafira, because another aspect in her favour is she loves this course and is unbeaten in two starts here. Kissimee is 2,5kg under sufferance with Zafira, but actually comes out ahead of her on their last meeting over 2200m in January, so she must be considered. Storm Warning beat a disappointing Kissimee by six lengths over course and distance last time and they face each other on the same terms. However, Storm Warning now has a wide draw to overcome, while Kissimee is well drawn again.

The Elmo Effect faces Storm Warning on the same terms for a mere 0,2 length beating in the aforementioned race, so has a shout again, despite officially being 5,5kg under sufferance with Zafira. Coby is not far behind The Elmo Effect and Storm Warning on the form of that last race, but has a worse draw now. Joint topweight Arch Rival can never be ignored, although he is best suited to the more galloping standside track. Penteliko has Anthony Delpech aboard over a suitable course and distance from a good draw, but looks held by like of The Elmo Effect and others.  Royal Honour and Talbec look to have impossible tasks at the weights.

The meeting opens with a very interesting maiden over 1600m. The hard knocking Fish River Canyon is proven over the course and distance and is drawn well in five. She looks to be an improving sort too. However, she up against two fillies in Orchid Island and Written who will both definitely relish this step up in trip. They will likely improve on their debuts too, having both finished like trains over 1200m on debut for respective close up placings.

Orchid Island is beautifully bred being by Silvano out of a stakes winning daughter of Ilha da Vitoria, Ilha Grande. However, she faces a tough draw of 12, so Anthony Delpech will have his work cut out. Written is by Western Winter out of a Saumarez mare and looks to have plenty of scope, being quite immature in appearance. It will be interesting to see whether experience or class decides the outcome, as the latter pair might be the better horses in the long run. However, Fish River Canyon is given the vote to beat Orchid Island and Written.

The value bet on the card comes in the seventh in the form of the Alec Laird-trained Judpot mare Endearing. This is a suitable course and distance and she is now a whopping nine points lower than her last winning mark. In her last start over 1200m she was caught wide at this course against the boys, so it was not a bad effort. She is three points lower here and is back against her own gender from a plum draw. Furthermore, she looks likely to appreciate the step up in trip as she has been staying on lately over shorter.

It’s not a fantastic field and the main danger could be Might As Well, who did well from the front last time over this trip at the Vaal and is now better drawn and two points lower in the merit ratings. The favourite might be Warm White Night Alice, who converted short odds second time out over 1200m at Scottsville on July 23. However, she showed a lot of pace there and her speedy pedigree also creates a stamina doubt, so from draw ten here in her seasonal reappearance there are question marks.

Mythical Magic will be coming into her own being by Silvano and if dropped out from a very high draw she looks a sort who has the class to turn it on in the straight. Gold Shades was not disgraced against a fair sort last time over 1400m and Piere Strydom is an eyecatching booking. Ladies Club is fairly handicapped on her best form and might be looking for this trip now, having run on well late over 1200m last time out. She can’t be ignored from a plum draw.

David Thiselton

Dennis Drier’s Cape Summer Of Champions string arrived safely in Cape Town on Monday after the long journey from Summerveld, which included a stopover in Colesburg.

The 25-strong team will as usual be based at the Philippi training centre.

Among them is the unbeaten three-year-old Gimmethegreenlight colt Hack Green, whose likely chief target is the Gr 1 Cape Guineas on December 17.

The others in the string are Anime, Chestnut ‘N Pearls, Desert Fighter, Ferrie, Horseguards, Joy To Joy, La Revere, Lee’s Star, Mogostar, Nauticus, Premier Dance, Rock On Baby, Rocky Valley, Sail, Seventh Plain, Sommerlied, Shogun, The High Life, Triptique, Wealthy, Generalissimo (who returns from a long layoff), Field Of Light (an unraced three-year-old full-sister to Jackson), Miss Frankel (an unraced two-year-old filly by Frankel out of the champion sprinter Val De Ra) and one other unraced youngster.

Hack Green (Nkosi Hlophe)

Drier is due to arrive in Cape Town tomorrow on Wednesday. He will divulge the feature race program of his string to the Racegoer later this week.

He and his wife Gill have just returned from England where they attended a couple of prestigious Sales’ together with Mary and Jessica Slack.

Drier was thrilled to have picked up three horses at Ireland’s leading yearling auction, the Goffs Orby Sale. They comprise a Cape Cross colt, a Cape Cross filly and a Dawn Approach filly, who were all bid for by Jehan Malherbe of Form Bloodstock.

Gill said, “We loved the Goffs Sale and being at the Tattersalls Sales (Newmarket) and visiting Abington Place (Mary Slack’s training stable at Newmarket) were amazing experiences.”

The Cape Cross colt is out of an unraced Clodovil (Danehill) mare, who is a half-sister to a Listed placed mare. The latter has in turn produced four stakes placed horses. The family includes the ill-fated Summerhill-based sire Bankable, whose only crop have had reasonable success in South Africa to date and include the Listed Derby Trial winner Bankable Teddy.

The Cape Cross filly is out of a five-time winning Mujadil (Storm Bird) mare, who is a half-sister to a Gr 1 winner in France and who won a Listed race in Italy herself. The filly is a half-sister to a Listed placed horse in England.

The Dawn Approach filly is out of a placed Notnowcato mare, who is a half-sister to Rizeena. The latter was a two-time Gr 1-winner and was the champion two-year-old filly in Ireland in 2013.

Drier has been sending a string down to Cape Town since the 2011/2012 season and has been more than just a thorn in the flesh of the powerful Cape yards. His first Cape runner in this period was fittingly sent out on Guy Fawkes day, when the gelding Kalinago cruised to a comfortable victory. This ignited fireworks which have not ceased since.

The great sprinter Val De Ra and the darling of the South African turf Beach Beauty were both part of that first string. The former got Drier’s Cape feature race ball rolling by winning the Gr 2 Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m by two lengths. She followed up by winning one of the most eagerly awaited sprints this century, downing What A Winter by 0,4 lengths in the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship over 1000m. It was a thriller and Drier could not contain the tears of emotion.

It went some way to healing the wounds of the luckless first Cape campaign which Beach Beauty had suffered. However, the latter more than made up for it in the following two seasons. Her three Cape campaigns ultimately netted her three Gr 1s and a Gr 2, as well as a 1,85 length fifth and a 1,8 length third in two attempts at the J&B Met.

Drier’s five Cape campaigns this decade have yielded 17 feature race victories made up of four Gr 1s, six Gr 2s, two Gr 3s, four Listed races and one Non-Black Type event.

It could have been even more impressive had the brilliant colt Master Of My Fate not suffered rotten luck in the J&B Met of 2014 as well as a career ending injury later on.

The Drier yard failed to win a Gr 1 last season for the first time since the 2008/2009 term. A backlash can be expected and they should be followed.

David Thiselton

Champion trainer Sean Tarry has reacted to criticism levelled at a number of trainers who have declined to reveal information about their first-time runners to the public – following a Gold Circle initiative launched, as reported, in the interest of transparency and to promote the welfare of the punter.

Most trainers have obliged recently with short comments about their newcomers, but there are a few who have not been keen to part with information, and others who have refused to comment, period.

In reference to the article Trainer ‘No Comments’ Raises Ire published on the Sporting Post website, in which trainers were given a score out of 10 for cooperating (nor not cooperating) with the initiative, Tarry said that the issue has now turned into “name-and-shame” game which is not only unnecessary, but also unfair to the individuals concerned.

Tarry said: “I’d like to give my opinion on this matter and I trust it will be taken in the positive spirit intended.”

Tarry emphasised that once info is given, info is gone.

He explained: “We pay tax and we’re not sure where our tax rands are applied. We give to charity and we can’t be sure where in the pool our contributions end up going.  Information given by a trainer to an individual will always serve to benefit that individual first. I am not saying that the media who collect this information cannot be trusted – that’s not the issue at all.

“The point is, whomever compiles the information has first access, in theory, so the info will always remain the property of that person or a select few around him who can use it before it is disseminated to the public.

“Again, I am not suggesting dishonesty on behalf of the media, but let’s say, for example, that Tellytrack send out an interviewer to Randjesfontein who gets exclusive info on a first-timer in an interview with a trainer.

He or she says nothing to anyone, but while the interview clip is being prepared someone walks by the editing studio, hears the info and is now also in the know, in possession of information destined for dissemination to the public at large.

“Seriously, how would the public at large receive any exclusive information without someone else having been advantaged first? There are any number of scenarios like this that can affect the price of a first-time before the information reaches the public, or certain members of the public, the proportion who happens to be reading the info online or happens to be tuned in to Tellytrack at the time of dissemination.

Tarry also posed the question:  “How would the public benefit from us giving opinions on horses we are in reality unable to assess with authority until they’ve competed in a race?“

It is not easy for any trainer to “label” a horse, Tarry said. He elaborated: “From time to time you’ll get stars like Horse Chestnut or Variety Club who have freakish talent and are few and far between. They are the rare ones a trainer would have full confidence in.

“As for lesser talents, more of them will get beat than win when they are expected to win. Some young horses show good work and disappoint when they get into a race; others show nothing and surprise you on the racetrack.

Some pull up with ailments or breathing problems undetected before the race, others race too green to compete.”

Tarry said that he followed a process when planning to bet: “Personally I never have a bet until I’ve seen the runners in the parade ring on the day of the race, and I’ve compared them to others on the canter-down.

“An example. A month ago we fancied End Game to win her first start at Turffontein, we also had Written in the race, unfancied. As things turned out End Game was beaten half a length by David Nieuwenhuizen’s 5-1 shot Hurricane Bertha in a nine-horse field.  Written ran on so well she would probably have won in another stride! What would punters have said if I’d announced, on what we saw in work, that End Game was the fancied one, Written was unfancied and they ran the other way?”

Tarry said that, in his view, no professional or serious punters would ever splash out money on a “tip” from a trainer or a jockey. “Punters who sit and wait for info on first-timers are on a free trip to the poorhouse.

With no form exposed there is no way of comparing the runners in a race and also, the market for first-timers is small. How would any punter expect to get their bets on at the best price, whatever info they are in possession of?

“Betting opens sometimes half an hour before the first race, which makes it mostly impossible to claim a good price.

Punters with so- called info are able to take Opening Betting (OB) or Starting Price (SP) ahead of time, but chances are they will end up with the wrong odds most of the time as the betting market establishes itself.

“Betting on horses is a science of discipline that takes years of trial and error to master, and anyone with experience in racing will tell you that. What our punters need is more education, they need to study form, watch replays and be intimately involved with racing every day to be able to make a call on when to bet and when not to bet.”

Get a form book, go to the track and learn, Tarry advised punters. Look at all the variables and make your own form decisions.

He concluded: “By trying to force trainers to speak about first-timers the goal posts are being moved and punters could get hurt, rather than advantaged.

Trainers can be potentially embarrassed and castigated by a sometimes very immature betting public.”

“Personally I am always willing to help, to give pointers on my horses that have raced. I am also in favour of barrier trials for unraced horses which will give everyone an equal opportunity to compare young horses against each other on times recorded at the work track.

“But I think what we have here now is a situation that can turn sour and has been overblown in the media.  If we could “rubber stamp” our first-timers this would be an easy game, we’ll just make money every time and we’d be able to eliminate training fees altogether!

“Let’s respect those trainers who decline to make comments, and who really have nothing to be ashamed of in exercising their right not to comment.”

– Turf Talk

Alec Laird has not ruled out the Breeders Cup for J&B Met winner Smart Call.

The brilliant Ideal World mare had to be scratched from her intended preparation race, the Gr 1 Sun Chariot Stakes, which was run over a mile at her current Newmarket U.K base on October 1.

The five-year-old is currently sound. However, the issue which prevented her from lining up in the Sun Chariot was not a bad or “obvious” one, and this makes it difficult for the connections to make a definite decision.

Laird said he would proceed cautiously with her, taking it “a little bit at a time.” If she comes through fine, a decision will then be made on her Breeder’s Cup engagement.

She is due to run in the Gr 1 Filly and Mare Turf over a mile-and-a-quarter at the Santa Anita showpiece on November 5.

KZN’s record-breaking jockey Anthony Delpech was among many who were bitterly disappointed by her late scratching from the Sun Chariot, which was due to her trotting up lame in the stable’s routine pre-race check at Abington Place on the morning of the race.

The race was to be Delpech’s race riding debut in England. The booking was also intended to give him a feel of the mare ahead of the Breeder’s Cup.

Delpech is currently retained by Mary Slack of Wilgerbosdrift Stud and the agreement also included him having first call on horses owned by Mauritzfontein Stud, which is run by Mary’s daughter Jessica.

Smart Call is owned and was bred by Mauritzfontein.

David Thiselton

The Conglomerate will have at least one more run before the Sansui Summer Cup after the Vodacom Durban July winner finished last on his reappearance in the Joburg Spring Challenge at Turffontein on Saturday.

Joey Ramsden said: “While I didn’t exactly walk away ecstatic I certainly wasn’t suicidal. He has always been a slow starter to the season, he got bumped leaving the pens and he was only beaten seven lengths.”

Stable companion St Tropez fared rather better, finishing fifth, and his trainer added: “The biggest thing is getting the horses over all the vaccines they have to have – it’s the hardest part of my job.”

The Conglomerate (Nkosi Hlophe)

Brett Crawford reports that Rabada, ruled out by an over-reach, now goes straight for the Emperors Palace Charity Mile on November 5.

Greg Ennion believes that there is a lot more to come from Roman Discent following the 7-1 chance’s win under second top weight in the Racing Association Handicap at Durbanville on Sunday.

The Milnerton trainer said: “Roman Discent was very unlucky when fifth in the Settlers Trophy on his previous start. The horse that went to the front dropped almost to a walk and stopped in front of him.

“He had a few niggles earlier in his career but he is sound again now. He is still immature and I honestly think that he has a future.”

The four-year-old only had a neck to spare over the strong-finishing Cuduiari at the line but he was value for quite a bit more as he slowed far more than Andrew Fortune expected when he dropped his hands before the line. Fortune was interviewed by the stipes and “strongly advised to ride his mount out to the end of a race in future engagements.”

The National Racing Bureau rang round the Cape Town trainers yesterday morning after only four were declared for Saturday’s Graduation Plate and it was rewarded with Ramsden adding Dancer  and Aviemore.  The highest-rated at 93 is Lord Balmoral trained by Vaughan Marshall. The fillies 1 200m maiden attracted 19 declarations and has been divided.

Michael Clower

Romi’s Boy made a cracking start to his racing career just over a week ago and can get punters off to a winning start in the first race at The Vaal classic track on Tuesday. Alec Laird’s colt made his debut at the Vaal two Saturday’s back where the centre rail was removed to accommodate the 28-runner field of the Grand Heritage.

Romi’s Boy was one of only 16 runners but was up against an odds-on favourite in Doosra who had already shown promise. As expected Doosra duly bowled the field over but Romi’s Boy was doing his best work late and if he can build on that effort it will take a good one to beat him.

The orange and black silks of Adriaan and Rika van Vuuren are a familiar sight on the Highveld and more often than not in the winner’s enclosure. They can pay a further visit when Mike Azzie saddles Pajama Party in the second. The four-year-old has been a late starter, only making his first appearance on a race course this season. He has finished runner-up in two starts around the tight Turffontein inside track and looks good enough to break his duck.

Tendre made a smart debut at long odds and can prove a threat as Joey Soma has booked Anton Marcus for the ride. This is Marcus’s only ride and if he makes the trip up from KZN then the inference is obvious. Air Force Legend has been placed in all three starts over further but returns from a lay-off which could find him out when it comes to the finish.

Fingers Crossed and Crown Court could suffice in the opening leg of the Pick 6. The has improved with each outing and looks primed for this race. Piere Strydom replaces Gavin Lerena on Fingers Crossed and gets the leg up on Crown Court. Mike de Kock’s charge was a beaten favourite when a distant third at her second outing after making a smart debut and is the obvious danger to the first choice.

From here on in things get difficult.

Polar Secret is in good form going into the fourth and stays the trip. She still has a lowly rating even after four wins but has drawn an outside gate which could prove her downfall in what is a weak handicap. Sim-Alley Bank was rested after finally shedding her maiden and was in need of her latest start. She should also enjoy the rise in trip and looks the main threat to the top weight.

The fifth sees the lightly raced Cashin in good form and he was only narrowly beaten last start after winning his first two. Chepardo has his third run after a break and has not been far back in two comeback runs. He should strip at his peak. Chili Con Carne can also heat this up after making a promising seasonal debut in a useful field.

Veteran galloper Capuche has come to hand of late and is a speculative choice in a tough race. He goes well this trip and should feature if holding for. Trip To Troy was a little disappointing when a beaten favourite last run but that said he was a luke-warm 4-1. He was narrowly beaten prior to that and can make amends while Trip To Paradise is seldom far back and is course and distance suited. He goes well for Strydom.  El Bombero, a close-up third under a light weight at his penultimate start and back over a more suitable trip is another to consider.

In the seventh, Comme-Ci-Comme-Ca was rested after her win on debut but made a smart return to the track in Graduation company. She has a fair weight but could prove a cut above her opposition. 8

The last is a minefield but Flag Of France is always game and has been in good form of late. He is looking for his ninth victory and is still off a handy merit rating. Spring Steel is lightly raced but is still being persevered with which suggests that there is still life. He has not been out since March last year but he comes from a very much in form stable.

Andrew Harrison