David Thiselton
The Turffontein Inside track has an interesting nine race meeting on today which has attracted one or two horses who will be looking to make a big impact this season.
The Paul Peter-trained Reunion is one such horse and this Flower Alley gelding runs in one of the highest rated races on the day, a MR 96 Handicap over 1800m. This big bay had tongues wagging after his debut last November when powering home by 10,25 lengths from the front over 1600m on this track. He then lost his way and was at one stage looking to be yet another overhyped horse who was amounting to little. However, he bounced back three runs ago with an unlucky second and then showed class in his next two outings, winning both of them in fine style. Having dropped from an initial 98 merit rating down to 85 he is now back to a 99 and he should not stop there. The tall long-striding horse proved last time, when winning easing up by 2,25 lengths over this trip, he can relax well enough in the front and possesses a tremendous kick. In his previous start he had come from well off the pace to win by 5,30 lengths over 2000m, so the excellent schooling given him by the Peter yard has made him into a versatile horse who can win from anywhere. Therefore his tricky draw of seven should not be a problem and Gavin Lerena can play it by ear. Reunion now just has to prove he is the real deal which he has always been believed to be and if he is he should get past this first hurdle despite having to carry topweight of 60.5kg. Prince Evlanoff, also by Flower Alley, also has some class and can progress beyond his current 87 rating. He won well last time in his first attempt at this trip and now has his third run after a layoff. He comes from off the pace so a draw of eight should not be of much concern. Trend Master beat Reunion three runs ago at level weights over this trip and now receives 3.5kg. However, Reunion was unlucky in that race and according to the weight for age scale should have made 2.5kg improvement since then, so he should reverse the form. Trend Master is a decent type and he followed that win with another good win over 2000m before running on over the too sharp 1450m last time for a good one length third. He is going to be a threat from pole position. Some might want to include Willow’s Wish too as he was still green last time when winning over 1750m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in just his third career start. A 2.5kg claimer up alleviates some of the eight point raise he was given but he does have a tough draw of ten. Twin Turbo is yet another son of Flower Alley who has a chance. He stayed on well from the front last time over this trip to win by half-a-length and drawn well off just a three point higher mark can go close carrying the minimum weight of 52kg, which off an 81 merit rating puts him just half-a-kilogram under sufferance. Category Four has not enjoyed much lucky lately but if it pans out well from a wide draw he is capable of staying on well and could earn. Our Coys also has the ability to be a contender but returns from a five month layoff and was given six points for winning last time. Western Fort is an unreliable sort but is capable and has a 4kg claimer up from a good draw over a suitable trip. Zeal And Zest is off form and his best days are likely behind him. Watusi is always an interesting runner because he won well in his only good performance to date. He lost ground at the start that day and ran on so if they try that tactic again and he settles, instead of him burning himself out in the front as he has been doing, he could be a surprise earner.
The eighth race is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 2600m and Captain Chorus looks the part. He ran third over course and distance last time and is now 7.5kg better off with Afraad for a 5,60 length beating. He was a touch unlucky not to get second that day as he was bumped late by Barak. He carries just 52kg from a good draw and Kennedy is up. The topweight Out Of Your League has to give 8kg and more to the entire field so it won’t be easy although he is fact the best weighted horse according to official merit ratings. He is also drawn in pole and has his SA Derby-winning pilot Raymond Danielson on for the third time in succession. White Fang is officially 6.5kg under sufferance with Out Of Your League but is on the way up and it would be no surprise to see him making it four wins on the trot as he has a lot of scope. Afraad has to come into it too despite being officially 7kg under sufferance with Out Of Your League as he has relished the step up to staying trips and might have more to come. Barak can also be right there as he is 3.5kg better off with Afraad for a 5,25 length beating and he has always struck as being an out and out stayer. Apollo Robins is 4kg better off with White Fang for a 4,10 length beating over this trip but White Fang would have made 1kg of weight for age improvement over Apollo Robins since then on paper and White Fang also strikes as the one with more scope.
