Sean Tarry is almost unstoppable in his charge to a second National Trainer’s Championship and Newyorkstateofmind can add to his already burgeoning tally at Greyville tomorrow.
Newyorkstateofmind (Nkosi Hlophe)
The gelding took an age to shed his maiden but once that was behind him he was quick to reel off a further two victories. He has been campaigned relentlessly with at least one outing per month since October last year and although he lost a little of his form after his last win back in November, he is now showing a glimpse of his better form. He was third in a stronger handicap field at his last start and with Anthony Delpech taking over in the saddle Newyorkstateofmind can give Eddie Sweat a run for his money.
Eddie Sweat, named after the groom of the legendary Triple Crown winner Secretariat, has been out of the winner’s box for some time now and although the five-time winner is hardly in the league of ‘Big Red’, Frank Robinson has been patient and the gelding’s time could come again this afternoon.
It has been over two years since his last victory but the handicappers have finally relented and the gelding’s rating has been dropping rapidly from a high of 94 to 67 and to a point where he now looks competitive again. He is also showing signs of a return to form.
Although Eddie Sweat can hardly be backed with any confidence Robinson looks to have picked the right race for him. He has seldom been far off the winner even though his losing streak stretches back 780 days he was staying on nicely in the soft ground at Scottsville last time out when three lengths behind Great Value.
He is well suited – like many of the older brigade – to the more forgiving and even poly track surface and although he takes on some fairly promising younger rivals, today could be his day.
Kept Secret (Nkosi Hlophe)
Belinda Impey survived a savage attack by a disgruntled former employee a fortnight back but her stable hands and her Ashburton colleagues stepped into the breech to help out while she was in hospital and she will be back to saddle her smart mare Kept Secret, winner of both her recent starts. In form apprentice Ashton Arries, aboard Newyorkstateofmind last time out, has stuck with Kept Secret and a winning hat-trick will be welcomed by all.
Seatops and Damali look pick of the younger brigade but Eddie Sweat could provide for a good priced winner in what looks to be another tricky card.
In the Lightning Shot Handicap, Mr Mcsteamy comes into this race holding his form and does his best over course and distance. He takes a slight drop in class and Anton Marcus is back aboard. Toonani was well supported in the market last time out but may have been short of a run after returning from a break. He should improve on that showing and looks a threat. Of the balance, Roy Royale is back over his best surface and is down in the ratings while All True Man improved last run and has his third start after a break.
Ideal Duel is a recent maiden winner but has improved with every outing, shedding her maiden at third time of asking. She appears to have some scope and meets little of note in the SA Racing App Handicap.
By Andrew Harrison
