Andrew Harrison

GARTH PULLER was on Monday officially crowned KZN’s Champion Trainer but he will be more concerned with the performance of Captain Fontane that lines up in the last on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

Captain Fontane’s roundabout from Puller’s stable, to quarantine and possible export to Hong Kong, and back is well documented and the unbeaten gelding gets another chance to cement his burgeoning reputation.

Unbeaten in three starts, the first two before quarantine eliciting rave reviews, Captain Fontane made a workmanlike return to the track when holding off Hooves Of Troy in a 1200m sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in early July.

The winning margin was less than a length but Ashton Arries, in the saddle again this afternoon, made light work of the finish, giving just enough to get the job done.

It was a copybook workout for a horse that had not seen a racetrack in eleven months and there should be much more to come. He goes 1400m for the first time and on the poly for the first time, but asked post-race if his charge would go any further, Puller was emphatic. “He’ll go a mile on his coconut.”

Today’s race will provide a searching test and some indication of Captain Fontane’s true ability as he takes on some useful opposition.

The Robbie Hill-trained Petra is a five-time winning mare who may also have just needed her last outing when finishing strongly behind Light That Loose. She will also appreciate the step up in trip.

Shane Humby has battled a foot abscess with Mr Fitz but appears to have got on top of the problem and the stable is showing signs of an up-tick in form.  Quick Star is always dangerous and his light weight from a good draw will be an advantage while Hard To Play, Good Rhythm, Sniper Shot and Williams Land will be no push-overs.

Shavout and Sir Michael are the best weighted in the seventh and look set to fight this one out. MJ Odendaal has always had high regard for his charge and Shavout’s only poor run was in The Dingaans where nothing went to plan.

He has shown strong form in good company of late, third to Crown Towers in The Sledgehammer at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and a two-length third to the smart filly She’s A Keeper in the WSB 1900.

More recently he was a touch unlucky behind Gentleman’s Wager.

It may all depend on which Sir Michael pitches up on the day. Dean Kannemeyer’s charge has been costly to follow and the form behind Do It Again in a Pinnacle Stakes is beginning show a few leaks after Sir Michael took the knee to Ralph The Rascal when odds-on followed by a well below par effort behind Captain Tatters. However, he may well be looking for this extended trip. Either way he looks the biggest threat to Shavout.

Of the balance, African Sunrise is struggling to win again but gives the impression that he could pop up when least expected.

Jacob’s Ladder lost form after his narrow maiden win, but Louis Goosen appears to have got on top of whatever was the problem as the gelding tuned in a much-improved performance when runner-up at long odds last time out.  He may now be showing what he’s capable off and a repeat will see him close again.

Owner Rob Haswell will be hoping that Let Em Go will have put in a good showing for Pietermaritzburg’s Track and Ball ‘Three Musketeer’s’ in the second but Uplifted does appear to have a better chance in the sixth as the gelding has been close-up in both starts since his maiden win. The tongue-tie goes on and he should have a strong chance with this weight.