Distance should suit Terracotta Soldier
Five-year-old geldings who have only recently won a race do not usually inspire punters to go out and back them to win their next start, but sometimes rules are made to be broken.
Colin Scott has his yard in excellent form and he and jockey MJ Odendaal have been churning out winners. Terracotta Soldier, who lines up in Race 6, a MR 74 Handicap over 2400m, at Scottsville today was one of those winners.
The lightly raced five-year-old was only having his fourth career start when tried over 2400m last time and after taking the lead a long way out, kept on strongly to beat Badger Friendly by three lengths. On paper the form might not look that strong but the son of Dynasty was clearly looking for this sort of trip and should improve further.
The form has been franked after fourth-placed Professor X, who was beaten 5.50 lengths, came out and won his next start quite easily over 2000m at Clairwood.
Terracotta Soldier has run four times and all those were at Scottsville. He made his debut over 1200m in October last year and pulled up fatigued. He was then rested and gelded and returned to the course – again over 1200m – in July. He hardly raised a gallop and finished last in a field of 16 but when put over 1950m Terracotta Soldier showed lots of pace before fading out to finish 4.90 lengths behind Tippuana Jet.
He went off at 7-1 in his last start and came home like an odds-on shot. Now they have found his best trip Terracotta Soldier could have a couple more wins in the tank.
With just 49kg on his back Sparkling Wood could pose the main threat. The Yogas Govender-trained runner has won over 2500m at Clairwood but has not been as successful over 2400m at Scottsville. He gets his 4kg claim courtesy of apprentice Nicholas Patel who rides the gelding for the first time.
Friend Of Freedom is untried over this trip but the Des Egdes-trained runner has won his last two starts over 1950m at this track. He is in good form and with Stuart Randolph up, could improve further.
