Back In Business is out to remain unbeaten for the season by winning the Allied Steelrode Onamission Mile (JC Photos)
The Gr 2 Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile headlines a classy meeting at Turffontein Standside on Saturday, which also has three Gr 3s and two Listed races.
Muzi Yeni could have a good day as he has number of good rides, including in the Charity Mike where he is aboard the well handicapped Back In Business.
Back In Business ran to a 122 when winning the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Challenge over 1450m but due to a condition of the race could only be raised eight points to 114. He is thus 4kg well in, but the two concerns are his stamnina capacity and wide draw. He is by Cape Guineas winner Willam Longsword out of a Var sprinter Enchanting Cathy who is a half-sister to the legendary sprinter National Currency. William Longsword is one of only five siblings who has won over further than 1200m. His runner up in the Spring Challenge Barbaresco was gaining on him but Back In Business was not visibly tiring and as Joe Soma has said another 150m is about 12 to 14 strides. He is drawn 14 of 16 but Yeni up is an expert in finding cover from wide draws, so Back In Business is made the tentative selection. Frances Ethel caught the eye in her last start in a strong field over 1600m and is said to have strengthened up a lot this season. She would prefer further and the trainers would likely want something left in hand for the Betway Summer Cup but she should make her presence felt from draw two. Dave The King is still among the Summer Cup entries but Mike de Kock said he would be heading for the L’Ormarins King’s Plate via a Pinnacle event in December. He will need it to some extent, but is much improved since gelding and with his massive stride and long run in should make a bold bid. Barbaresco should relish the tough mile trip and with in form Gavin Lerena up from a draw eleven out of 16 he should make a bold bid. Gladatorian should be cherry ripe and will enjoy the trip, but has a wide draw. Celtic Rumours should some into her own this season and from draw ten carrying just 52.5kg should make her presence felt, although she is not certain to enjoy the step up in trip.
Yeni is aboard Raiseahallelujah in the Listed Allied Steelrode Java Stakes over 2400m. This seven-year-old Querari Raiseahallelujah has become a solid and reliable stayer who should make a bold bid, although he is 4,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted None Other. Former SA Oaks winner None Other should be staying on well in her second run of the season. Marauding Horde made a fine seasonal reappearance and should fullfil his potential this season and he could be a big runner too for the in form Mike de Kock yard.
In the Listed Allied Steelrode Golden Loom Handicap Yeni is aboard Cosmic Star who ran a fine 1,15 length third to Dyce over 1000m on the Inside track in his seasonal reappearance, although he did have the advantage of draw one. He should have come on from that run but now has draw 5 out of ten on a course where high draws tend to be favourable. Dreamland has a nice high draw and if at his best after a three month layoff is the one to beat as he has good pace and a fine kick which makes him effective over this quick 1000m trip. Sheldon is an honest sprinter and from a high draw he should be right there. Taxi To The Moon is a promising winner of three out of five starts and carrying 53kg from draw eight is a big runner. Red Bomber should also have a chance from a good draw of eleven.
In the second leg of the Pick 6, the Gr 3 HSH Princess Charlene Starling Stakes, Yeni is aboard Poblano is a promising Rafeef filly who won by two lengths on debut and was just caught second time out by Nettleton over 1000m, losing by a short-head. On pedigree she will enjoy the step up to 1400m here but she has a wide draw and officially has a hard task at the weights. Fatal Flaw has run second in a Gr 1 over 1600m and in a Gr 2 over 1400m and will have benefited from her last run, so is the one to beat from draw four under Piere Strydom. Vulcanite has impressed in her last two and could still be anything. Oxalis Gold showed herself to be a scopey sort when winning well last time. Queen Of Love won well after a layoff and Lerena replaces Strydom and she jumps from draw two. World Of Alice should have a good season, but this is on the sharp side.
In the Gr 3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m The Specialist has a Gr 1 second over 1600m to his name and with Lerena up from draw five is the one to beat. His stablemate Legend Of Arthur has plenty of class but he has 2,85 lengths to find on The Specialist from that 1600m race, although he does have a good draw. Fire Attack is classy and will enjoy the step up in trip but has to give the others 2kg and has not raced since winning the SA Nursery seven months ago. Don’t Cry For Me has shown signs of class and could surprise in his first run after a layoff and gelding. Musical Score is promising but has a wide draw.
In the Gr 3 Allied Steelrode Yellowwood Handicap over 1800m Yeni is aboard the talented and up and coming three-year-old Olivia’s Way. However, she is officially 5,5kg under sufferance carrying 52kg off a 97 merit rating, so it is going to be a tough ask, although she could surprise from a good draw. Indian Ocean is a classy, progressive sort whom Piere Strydom has brought the best out of with two wins from two rides and she is ideally distance suited and versatile so will have different options from a tricky draw of seven. United Council can be involved if repeating her last start over 2000m. Forgiveness is 3kg under sufferance but is also on the way up. Donna Mo is a hard knocker who is distance suited, although she has a tricky draw.
In the first leg of the Bipot over 1160m Amanatto has quite a nice high draw and this well regarded sort can beat an uninspiring field on her seasonal reappearance, although the dogs have apparently been barking about one or two first-timers so the bettting should be watched.
The first leg of the PA over 1800m could be fought out by progressive sorts Total Surrender, Birthright and Mount Darwin.
In the first race of the meeting over 1000m Fastnet Filly has good Cape Town form and a favourable high draw. However, she has not run for nearly eight months. Desert Cloud was just four lengths off the classy Rodeo Drive on debut but she has not raced for over six months. Gerbera, My One And Only and Roaming Spirit could also be in the shake up.
Yeni has a goood chance in the last race with Towers Of Gold, who comes from some strong formlines, although he has a tough draw.
