Geoff Woodruff has been “encouraged” by the recent form of his Gr 2 Betting World 1900 contender Master Switch, who arrived at Summerveld from Randjesfontein on Tuesday evening.

Woodruff said Anton Marcus’ decision to ride The Conglomerate in the race did have  a bit to do with the weights, as Master Switch had originally been set to carry 54kg, before the weights were dragged up 2kg due to none of the runners being in the 110-114 merit rated band. However, his big race rider Callan Murray knows him well from training track work.

The four-year-old Jet Master gelding looks to be going the right way, but Woodruff said the race would tell how good he was. He is versatile in style, having done well from the front, from handy and from off the pace.

Master Switch was raised six points to a 98 merit rating for his win last time out at Turffontein over 2000m. He drew away well to beat Fort Meyers by 1,5 lengths in that race on April 16. However, the latter could only manage a 1,9 length third, albeit off a three point higher merit rating, in a handicap over 2000m at the Vaal on Tuesday.

However, Sean Tarry named Master Switch as one of the horses to beat in the 1900 earlier this week, so clearly has a good regard for Fort Meyers.

Master Switch carries 56kg and is officially 0,5kg under sufferance. He has a plum draw of three and is 14/1 with the race sponsor.

David Thiselton