The three-year-old events are loaded with talented runners
Night racing returns to Turffontein today and the 10-race card is jam-packed with competitive fields comprising some of the best horses in the country.
Two Progress Plates for three-year-olds over 1160m contain runners who won Grade 1 and Grade 2 races as two-year-olds. There are also two Pinnacle Stakes, one over 1000m and the other over 1400m. The former sees the return to Joburg of Magico, who will take on the likes of Valberg, Sharp Design and Desert Sheik.
The second witnesses the reappearance of Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top and SA Derby champion Wylie Hall.
There is one caveat. Many of these runners have been out of action for a number of months and will be using these races to prepare for some of the Graded races later in the season.
The two three-year-old events are very interesting. Race 5 is for fillies and pits Grade 1 Golden Slipper winner For The Lads against Grade 2 SA Fillies Nursery champion Virgo’s Babe. For The Lads went down seven lengths to Virgo’s Babe in the Nursery over this course and distance but after winning the Golden Slipper, went on to run a 1.75-length second to Along Came Polly in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes over 1600m at Greyville.
However, as the other two might well be in need of a run, it could be left to trainer Mike de Kock to throw a spanner in the works. Last month at Clairwood the yard saddled Copiapo who looks an extremely useful individual. She was sent out 5-10 favourite and streaked home by 5.25 lengths. She is by Captain Al out of former Grade 1 SA Fillies winner Urabamba.
A winner has come from that formline and in this event she is the third best-weighted runner. Her fitness could count in her favour.
Willow Magic caused an upset when beating much-vaunted Red Ray to win the Grade 1 SA Nursery over this track and trip. Sadly, Sean Tarry’s charge could not buy a decent draw in all three KwaZulu-Natal Grade 1 features and did well to place in all of them.
Willow Magic and De Kock-trained Umgiyo are the two best-weighted runners but Willow Magic is more likely to enjoy this 1160m. However, one should ignore Jimmi Choo’s two poor runners on the Vaal sand and the Bezrin gelding should go close.
Cherry On The Top could find 1400m a touch sharp but at least she will be racing on the standside track with a long run-in. The Ormond Ferraris-trained filly is at least 2.5kg better off with any other runner and should be able to put away this field, despite not having raced for 136 days.
War Horse failed on the sand but will prefer the turf and looks the main danger.
