Binda to strike with Al Azraq

Ayrton lines in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1200m while Night Editor runs in Race 7, a MR 80 Handicap, also over 1200m. Apprentice Calvin Habib has the ride on these but if jockey arrangements are anything to go by, Binda’s best should come in Race 6 where he saddles Al Azraq in this Novice Plate over 1400m.

In this event he has engaged Anthony Delpech to ride the son of Toreador.

The three-year-old gelding has raced only twice finishing a 2.70-length third behind Bull Valley over 1200m on the Vaal turf and then, going off over 1100m at the same track, starting at 13-10, Al Azraq sat up with the pace for half journey before going off to the front and racing clear to beat Buckland by 8.25 lengths.

The well-bred runner-up from the Sean Tarry yard was having his first run, went off second favourite, and will not be long in winning while fifth-placed Camps Drift won his next start and Blue Blazer also came out and won from that form line.

Al Azraq has not run on the Greyville Polytrack but Binda is astute enough to ascertain whether his charge will handle the surface or not. He jumps from No 1 draw and is the best-handicapped runner in the field.