Ashburton-based trainer Belinda Impey operates a small string out of the Ashburton training centre but she has more than her fair share of winners given the quality of horse that she has in her stable.

Quite simply, if they are good enough she will get them to perform, a prime example being Be The Right winning at Greyville last Sunday, a gelding that she nursed through a myriad of problems.

So, the Computaform comment behind the name of Amor Ardiente in tomorrow’s fifth race on the Greyville poly, ‘amazingly useful sort’ is a little demeaning.

Amor Ardiente (Candiese Marnewick)

Be that as it may, Anton Marcus was quick to book his place in the saddle after steering the gelding to a convincing win last time out, and in a small field where many are returning from time off, Amor Ardiente could be one of the better bets on a seriously tricky card.

He is still relatively easy to back at 22-10 in the opening market with Winter’s Coming and Blackball market rivals.

Winter’s Coming got home narrowly from the lightly weighted The Poet last time out but The Poet’s form has not been all that great since. Blackball has consistent form in smart company but does have a big weight and with only a barrier trial to his name since early July he could be found short if it comes to a tight finish.

The opening leg of the Pick 6, like the balance of the card, is wide open with many runners having dropped in the ratings. Biker Babe is on the up and has made good improvement for her new stable and can follow up on her last easy win. Missibaba is current ante-post favourite and has been close-up in recent starts over shorter but has a chance from a good draw. Bridal Veil and Fullfillyourdreams are others to consider.

Marcus has stuck with the ride on Elusive Diva, a beaten favourite a beaten odds-on chance under Marcus in her last three. She is due a change of fortune. Silver Prancer is another that has been knocking at the door for some time now and will be a threat along with Moon In June who was a beaten odds-on chance at just her second start and looks capable of good improvement.

Sentido was another beaten favourite last run but he has been holding form and may be worth another chance in a weak field in the sixth. Honest Prince is in good form and although battling for a second win he has not been far back of late and has a handy weight which could swing it in his favour.

In the seventh, Peter Piper has not been far back to stronger at recent outings but has dropped in the ratings and looks to have a bright chance in this field. A threat could be War Trumpet who is lightly raced but has been taking on stronger in Cape Town. He trialled well enough but meets a competitive field. Queensbury Rules and Hidden Influence are others to consider.

In the last, Greenlight Gatsby is lightly raced and although he disappointed on the turf last time out his poly form is not bad. Lucara has been knocking at the door for some time now and goes well over course and distance. He rates a strong chance in this field. Another with a chance is At The Opera who took on way stronger last run. He has shown some promise although his only poly effort was below par.

By Andrew Harrison

Things have not been easy for punters over the past week or so and the trend continued at Greyville yesterday with a number of the longer priced horses obliging. Desolate Road was a 10-1 shot for Tony Rivalland in the card opener but was given a cracker of a ride by Bernard Fayd’Herbe. Caught wide for much of the race, Fayd’Herbe produced the son of Pathfork with a telling run, taking a split between Lady Jackson and Rockcliffe, and getting up when it mattered.

“This is one course where racing wide doesn’t seem to matter all that much,” said the rider.

Temple Grafin landed the odds for Glen Kotzen but it was hard work for Richard Fourie who had to pull out all the stops to keep Can You Feel It at bay, the two pulling well clear of the chasing pack.

Kateecador (Candiese Marnewick)

The national jockey title is already race over but apprentice Lyle Hewtison extended his growing lead with a typically polished ride on the Sean Tarry-trained and well named Go Thuli Go. It was not the required result for many punters though as second-placed Deerupt was a popular banker.

The virus that plagued Ashburton earlier in the year appears to have runs its course and Louis Goosen says his stable is starting to turn. “All my bloods are looking great. I think that virus is behind us,” he said, rubbing his hands at Ashburton yesterday morning, so Var Agtig’s triumph was not a surprise as Gunter Wrogemann aimed his mount through a gap up the centre to win comfortably.

Apprentice Luke Ferraris has been getting many opportunities, arguably more than the average apprentice due to family connections. However, there is no doubting his talent and he took his winning tally to nine as he gave Elegant General a polished ride as Robbie Hill’s gelding finished full of running.

Kateecador (22-1) was at the sharp end of a big Quartet payout in the sixth, the dividend a healthy R112552.20 with Gavin van Zyl’s filly finishing with daylight behind her.

Apprentice Ashton Arries is finding things a little more difficult now that he has ridden out his claim but given the opportunities he rarely fails as he led the field a merry dance on Alyson’s Wright’s filly Gorgeous Guest, the subject of a late flood of money.

“You have got to have the horses, without them you are nothing,” is often quoted by Dennis Drier and he looks to have another smart filly in the regally bred Perfect Air. The daughter of Dynasty out of the classy racemare Icy Air fluffed her lines when taken to the Cape for the season, but Drier’s string did not adapt well to the dry summer. Yesterday Perfect Air showed her true ability when running out a comfortable winner of the last.

By Andrew Harrison