Get in line with says the Sargeant
The well-weighted Drill Sargeant should be hard to beat in Race 5, a Conditions Stakes over 2400m at Fairview today.
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The Tara Laing trained-seven-year-old is a standing dish in stayers races in the Eastern Cape and with stable companion Crown Of Gold missing from this race the Dynasty gelding could have the measure of his rivals.
Drill Sargeant gave Oh So Modus 4 kg – with the jockey 0.5kg overweight that day – when beating that rival by a neck over 2700m at this course in December and due to the conditions of this race will only give 2kg to that rival. Jockey Wayne Agrella has not ridden too many winners this season but does get on well with Drill Sargeant.
Drill Sargeant has won five races over this distance with three of them being at this course.
Oh So Modus is a game front-runner and nearly made all when behind Drill Sargeant but he has had a lot of racing and will need to dip from his tank another time and his last race when unplaced may have pushed him to his limit.
Putney Flyer has not won for some time now but appears to be third best in this line-up. Emblem Honour, the improving stable companion to Drill Sargeant, is badly out at the weights and all his recent best form has been on the Polytrack so he will be overlooked for a win prospect but he can earn a place cheque.
Jockey Andrew Fortune had a good day on Monday at this track and he could get off to the best possible start with O Tamara in Race 1. The Argonaut filly was very disappointing last time out when a loser at very short odds but Fortune will know more about her and unless there is a good first timer she should win.
Fortune will also be favourite to win the second race with the improving New Deal. This Mambo In Seattle gelding was doing his best work over 1400m last time so the step up in trip should suit. Exclusive Elegance looks the main danger after showing improvement in his new yard last time out.
The Justin Snaith-trained Arezzo in Race 6, a Graduation Plate over 1800m looks the best bet and banker on the card. This Go Deputy colt has been battling to finish off his races in handicap company and the drop in trip should suit.
He is weighted to win this race comfortably.
