Another leg of the KZN 3YO Series takes centre stage at Greyville today. Raced over 1600m in the memory of Angelina Paul, the race has attracted a small but quality field where the filly Dawn Calling could put one over the colts.
The race was originally scheduled for the Greyville turf, but as the grass has not fully recovered from its spring treatment the event was switched to the poly track. Duncan Howells then made the decision to send Roy’s Magic to contest the Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes instead leaving Dawn Calling to take her chances as she has already shown an affinity for the synthetic surface.
Dawn Calling recently made her seasonal debut in a 1200m sprint against some useful older fillies where she was not well in at the weights and over a trip that already appears to be well short of her optimum. However, she was all over a winner except at the line as Impala Lily got up to deny her victory.
Although taking on some smart males Dawn Calling is nicely in at these weights and will much prefer today’s trip. With the G1 Cape Fillies Guineas on the agenda, just how she fares will give some indication of her chances should she take her place in that race come early December.
Howells will have a line on most of the field with Palladium, Highway Eightyfive, My Pal Al and The King Of Random all behind the Howells-trained Roy’s Magic at Scottsville last month.
It was a desperately close finish but Roy’s Magic came from off them to nail My Pal Al and Palladium on the line. On that showing there should be very little between My Pal Al and Palladium again today but both could find the filly too hot to handle.
Something of an unknown quantity is the Frank Robinson-trained Winter Is Coming. The colt took time to come to hand but once stepped out on the poly his form improved dramatically. His last run was super impressive as he put a maiden field to the sword, winning by eight lengths easing up. The handicappers were also impressed and he earned a 94 rating. Whether that rating is justified, we will know by this evening.
Olympic gold medallist Chad le Clos has been cleaning up at the World Champs and will be hoping that the horse named after him and which he also owns in partnership can do the same. Unbelievable Chad started his career in promising fashion but has since been disappointing. He has his third run after gelding in the seventh and with the stable in good form, Unbelievable Chad could get back on the winning trail.
Andrew Harrison
