Gingerbread Man, unbeaten over course and distance, will be looking to keep that record in tact when he runs in the KZN Breeders Club Handicap over 1400m on the Greyville poly this evening.

Dean Kannemeyer (Nkosi Hlophe)

Gingerbread Man has taken to the poly and can go in again for his hat-trick even though he takes a rise in class as confirmed by Duncan Howells. “He’s a nice horse and is very well,” said Howells. “He does step up in class but should be right there.” However, the Ashburton trainer added a word of caution. “He’s no good thing!”

Newyorkstateofmind seems to be continually on the upgrade and is likely to be in the scrum again come the line. Sean Tarry’s runner came from well back to win again last time out and although he too takes on stronger he does have a claiming apprentice up. Charles Laird’s runner Dance On Air was a beaten favourite last start but did take on much stronger. He has also won over course and distance and is in with a definite chance. Bizjet most recent win was over course and distance beating Newyorkstateofmind and was narrowly beaten next time out so is another for the shortlist.

Howells has a second string to his bow and should Gingerbread Man disappoint, Roman Carnival could pick up the pieces. “He is well and very fit,” said Howells. “He has a decent draw and is over his best trip.”

In all the race looks wide open, as does the Synergy Marketing Partners Apprentice Handicap that precedes.

Des Egdes, with a winner on Wednesday in Dynamite Lady, saddles Just Rap under Julius Mphanya. “The draw is a bit of a concern especially in a race like this with all the apprentices. You never know what kamikazes will be out there. But she’s well and I think she has a decent chance,” he concluded.

Just Rap faced a good field last time out and prior to that was a close-up second over course and distance. Given some luck in running she should be right there. Stockade has consistent form over course and distance and from a good draw should also be there as Egdes intimated. A question mark hangs over Laird’s runner African Sunbird. She was given a stiff task first run out of the maidens and meets weaker here. She is back on the poly on which she shed her maiden. She may be worth another chance. Icy Spirit has been in good form since her maiden win and with a smart four-claimer in Denis Schwarz up she can go in again.

Gingerbread Man (Nkosi Hlophe)

Anton Marcus teams up with the Dennis Drier gelding Smart World in the CMH Kempster Ford Handicap that looks to be another tricky race. Smart World has shown his best form on the poly and a drop in class should at least make him competitive. Top weight Selvan’s Jet has taken to the poly and was up against stronger at his last two. He has a fair weight but will have a host of supporters. Tony Nassif arrives in town with Triple Beat who has improved since the blinkers were removed.

Nassif is one of the game’s eternal optimists but when he makes the journey from the Highveld it is worth taking note. Sambora let the side down in his six-week stint on the Highveld and has left Howells frustrated. “He doesn’t put in a lot of effort but has the ability. It’s a case of which Sambora arrives on the day.”

Place Accumulator punters can hopefully get through the opening leg with the Laird-trained Matresse. She was sent out an odds-on favourite on debut for her new stable debut but lacked extra late. The blinkers are back on over a shorter trip and she may be the one to beat although Gusheshe is much improved on the poly and was close-up from a wide draw last time out. The Kannemeyer yard has been on mustard form of late and the Australian import should prove the biggest threat. Arctic Swift has improved with each outing and found good market support last start. Marcus is off and rides Matresse but the blinkers are on.

By Andrew Harrison