ANDREW HARRISON
APPRENTICE races are often something of a lottery with inexperienced riders hunting boasting rights amongst themselves. With the SA Jockey Academy based in KZN, it is local trainers who mentor those green apprentices that have qualified to ride in races.
However, any apprentice that looks capable of making the grade is suddenly whipped off to Gauteng, ostensibly because they get more chances with bigger fields and racing three times a week. This leaves the KZN trainers lumbered with another book of greenhorns.
The Highveld hordes are in force in two races at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and Joshwin Solomons could snaffle the first.
Solomons, son of talented rider Morne Winnaar, showed early promise before being shipped to the Western Cape. But with the Covid complications and the closure of the apprentice academy in Cape Town, he was sent to Jo’Burg. Quiet and unassuming, he does not have the ‘mouth’ of an Andrew Fortune, but his riding skills have been quickly recognised and his 4kg claim has quickly reduced to 1.5kg.
He may not need his claim in the fifth where Dennis Bosch’s consistent Theravada can get out of the placings and visit the winner’s box for the third time. Best of the opposition could be Wendy Whitehead’s old campaigner Sovereign Soldier who was a close-up third last outing and has been consistent of late.
The second apprentice handicap could be trickier with a number of runners in with chances. The draw should not be a problem in this small field. The list of possible winners is a long one. State Of Mind has run her two best races over course and distance and was narrowly beaten last run. Ice Imperial took on stronger last start but was well beaten in the soft. She is never far back and goes well on the poly. So They Say made a smart handicap debut. She is distance suited and if taking to the poly should put up a good showing.
In the first leg of the PA, Candy Galore has her third run after a break. She gets a 4kg claimer up from a good draw. Blush Of Dawn loves the poly and can do much better than her last two in the soft. Candice Dawson is in town. The best of her two runners here could be Herstel who is lightly raced and has useful form over this trip.
In the third, Simply Complicated improved nicely with cheek pieces and races in blinkers. She has a strong chance on that last showing. The danger could be Good Girl who has shown a preference for the poly and was showing promising form over sprints before being sent over ground with the blinkers off. They are back on here and the extra did seem to suit. Princess Thiana has come on from each run and looks primed for this. She is a full sister to Legal Eagle.
The experiment with blinkers didn’t work for Raiseahallelujah and he is back on the poly without the blinkers and may be worth another shout especially as Warren Kennedy has left his Paul Peter ride to arch rival Anton Marcus who partners.
who appears to have come to hand with each outing and looks primed for this.
The sixth looks tricky but Herecomestherain took on stronger last start and was close-up. His two best recent efforts have been on the poly and he drops in class. Tambora has been in good form since arriving in KZN. He drops in trip but has won well on the poly. Fly The Coup won well over course and distance on debut. He could have plenty more to come. Stable companion Princekaresh was hampered out of the gate last start and never really in it. Marcus has jumped ship for Fly The Coup.
In the last, Superior Leader makes his local debut. He comes off some useful Kenilworth form and has a plum draw which could see him home Gimme A Rainbow has a difficult draw but has improved nicely of late while Don’t Touch Me has shown signs of coming to hand and faces a modest field here.
