The early call to move yesterday’s scheduled Scottsville meeting to the Greyville poly proved inspirational. The rain continued to pour in the Capital yesterday that would certainly have led to an abandonment but the poly drained nicely after yesterday’s Durban monsoon even though a steady drizzle continued to make things uncomfortable.
The switch to the poly may have been a concern for the connections of Scottsville 1200m record holder Humidor making his poly debut but Tony Rivalland’s runner was never troubled as Muzi Yeni steered him to a rather comfortable victory in the White Horse Function Room Handicap.
Much better behaved at the start, he was out in a flash and was never troubled as he went to the line well clear of Celtic Captain and Ten Gun Salute.
Humidor (Nkosi Hlophe)
It was the big gelding’s fifth win from just eight starts and now that he is proven on the poly he has more options open to him.
Ten Gun Salute ran a cracker in defeat over a distance well short of his best and set himself up for the big Highveld races including the Sansui Summer Cup. Duncan Howells has nine boxes booked for Turffontein with the raiding party due to leave Ashburton on Thursday.
Blinkers are not always a magical solution into coaxing the best out of a horse but it worked in the first with apprentice Diego de Gouveia riding out his 4kg claim with his 20th winner. It’s seldom easy for a filly to take on the colts, especially in a maiden, but Phantom Rock was always at the top of the boards and Dennis Drier’s filly led all the way. “I said to the kid that they might try and cut your throat, but he rode a good race.”
Elysian Fields finished the best of the Howells pair with Great Britain, having his first run back from a wind operation, fading late but staying on for third.
Drier was quickly back in the winner’s box as the regally-bred Premier Dance, in the colours of Mike and Norma Rattray, finished with a rattle to nail outsider Expresso Martini and the well fancied Onesie on the line. Drawn wide and having her first run she definitely looks to be a future prospect.
My Pal Al enjoyed the step up in trip to shed his maiden in the third for Alistair Gordon and owner/breeders and father/son combination of Dr Nic and Kim Labuschagne with well-backed favourite Archilles seemingly getting lost in the running and only kicking on late for third.
Apprentice Dennis Schwartz took full advantage of his 4kg claim in the fifth, leading all the way on Pearl Emblem. Always consistent for Paul Lafferty, Pearl Emblem kept rolling and was never in trouble with Lobelia and Crackpot fighting it out for the minor places. Favourite School Run faded tamely early in the straight.
Andrew Harrison
