Adams Rock to continue Gray resurgence at Vaal
Runners from the yard of owner/trainer St John Gray have been running below their best for some time now but there finally appears to be some light on the horizon.
Inevitably, whatever has been plaguing the yard has been sorted out and the horses are starting to show their true ability. Gray had four runners at Turffontein on Saturday and they all ran well. He won Race 5 with Angel Gabriel, Knock And Announce was only caught close home and went down 0.15 lengths for a third place behind St Angelique, Breathless finished third in Race 7 while Chestnut Charger ran fourth in Race 8.
The good run can continue at the Vaal today when Gray sends out Adam’s Rock in Race 6, a MR 90 Handicap over 1400m on the turf. The Australian-bred son of Fastnetrock has yet to win over the trip but he has placed in every start over 1400m. In fact, he has run second on three occasions and a 2.50-length fourth behind Indian Striker on the other.
Blinkers appear to have done the trick for the four-year-old gelding when he was first fitted with them four runs back. He won his first start in blinkers, beating Amatol over 1450m on the Turffontein inside track and then followed up with a one-length second place behind Perigrine over 1700m at the Vaal. He ran second again in his penultimate start, well beaten four lengths by highly regarded three-year-old Heart Of A Lion, and last time out failed to find the necessary acceleration in the closing over 1600m on the inside track and finished sixth behind Tiger Play, although only beaten 1.75 lengths.
He should enjoy the return to this straight 1400m and will have the services of Robbie Fradd, with whom he seems to have built up a good rapport.
There could be good value in including Your Move in all bets as the Barend Botes-trained runner has the credentials to cause an upset. The four-year-old son of Kahal has only raced eight times and his lone win came over the course and distance in which he won by five lengths. In his next outing, he jumped the shadow at Turffontein after being in a good position at the 400m mark.
Your Move was rested for five months and returned to racing last month. He was drawn wide over 1450m on the inside track and was squeezed out at the start. So that run is best ignored. He returns to the scene of his victory and with just 53.5kg to carry and Raymond Danielson aboard, one can expect a good showing.
