Saratoga Dancer to waltz home
An interesting Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m tops the card in Race 6 at Scottsville on Sunday. It sees the return this season of Afrikaburn, who was a Grade 1 winner as a juvenile and then, through injury, had a curtailed three-year-old season.
IMPROVING: Afrikaburn has yet to find his two-year-old form but the stable are expecting an improved run in Race 6 at Scottsville today. Picture: Supplied
The Dean Kannemeyer-trained gelding was off the track from November last year until June and then had two promising outings, including a 5.10-length fifth behind Futura, despite a wide draw.
He has not raced at Scottsville and he comes back from another rest so it might be wise to overlook him for this event, despite the fact he is one of the better handicapped runners under the weight conditions.
Perhaps the runner with the best form to win this race, despite being 2kg under sufferance with some of the others runners, is Saratoga Dancer. He has a good record at the course, having won three of his five starts at this venue with one placing. He has also won two of his three runs over the course and distance.
Trainer Duncan Howells has his string in top form and jockey Muzi Yeni knows exactly what he has to do to win on the son of Mambo In Seattle. He has already had a good sprint this season, finishing a 1.05-length fourth behind Brutal Force over 1200m at this course.
Stormy Eclipse loves this distance having four wins and one second place in five starts over 1600m. The problem is they have all been on the Greyville Polytrack but he does have Anton Marcus up and deserves respect.
