None Other, pictured winning the Gr 2 Track And Ball Oaks, is ideally suited to the Turffontein Standside track with its long straight and she should be finishing strongly in the Gr 3 Betway London News Stakes on Saturday. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).)
The Gr 3 Betway London News Stakes over 1800m is the headliner at Turffontein Standside on Saturday and it is not an easy race to analyse.
None Other is capable of strong finish and this former SA Oaks winner comes off a fine win here over 2000m. She is the best weighted runner and should make her presence felt. Purple Pitcher is a Gr 1 winner over this course and distance and is drawn well in two out of seven runners with regular rider Kabelo Matsunyane up. However, the two question marks are he has to carry topweight and this run is likely intended to bring him to his peak for the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge. Nevertheless, he is the class act in the field and should go close. Silver Sanctuary is a Gr 1 winner over 2000m and although she disappointed last time in the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes she ran a cracker in the Gr 2 Mike de Kock Ipi Tombe Challenge over 1600m at this course before that, beaten just 0,30 lengths. Raymond Danielson rode her in the latter race and is aboard her from a fair draw of three here, although this could also be a preparation for the Premier’s or the Gr 1 Empress Club Stakes over 1600m on the same day (March 29). Radicchio likely has no other agendas so that makes him a interesting runner. He did well in his first attempt at this trip last time. However, he has a very tough task at the weights and is officially 10,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted None Other. My Soul Mate ran second in the Oaks a year after None Other won it. My Soul Mate went close over this trip in a Listed race in her penultimate start so should make her presence felt. Son Of Raj is a former SA Derby winner and is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with the best weighted None Other, so can’t be ignored. Forgiveness is oficially 10,5kg under sufferance with None Other but is an up and coming sort who can’t be ignored. None Other is the choice but Purple Pitcher and Silver Sanctuary should also be considered for the exotics.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 Spirit In The Wind showed improvement last time and with a repeat should go close. City Lights is the other one to include in this unispiring contest because she has drawn well over a suitable trip and is often placed. She in fact has an ideal opportunity to finally exit the maidens.
In the second leg of the Pick 6 Count Huhtikuu should enjoy the step up in trip to 1800m and is drawn in pole position. He can build on his good three runs to date and go close against unispiring opposition. The Ultimate King ran a good race last time over 1500m and Lerena stays aboard, although he does have a wide draw to overcome. Santiago’s Pride can earn in this line up from a good draw if repeating his penultimate start, although that was over 2300m. Yojimbo has run well over 2000m before and should be thereabouts despite a wide draw. Sky Pillar Rock was well beaten in second last time over this distance but interestingly the winning rider in that race, Piere Strydom, now takes this ride.
In the fifth race over 1800m Immediate Edge is a long-striding sort who won going away when coming from midfield on debut over 1600m. He should enjoy the step up in trip and 83 looks to be a reasonable merit rating. Artist’s Model carries topweight but has some class and is drawn in pole over a step up in trip which might suit as he is a half-brother to Tamarisk Tree who has won twice over 2000m. Don’t Cry For Me, On Target and Hattrick Or Treat can also be considered for the Pick 6.
In the sixth over 1160m Abbey’s View made a good winning debut and from a high draw with a 4kg claimer up should go close off a reasonable 84 merit rating. Written In Stone was cramped for room in his 100th start and from a high draw, if able to be kept in a position where he can stride out, he should run on well and be in the shake up. Prized Platinum confirmed his good form recently by winning at Scottsville and off a four point higher mark should still be competitive from a high draw. Warm Winter Nite went close last time after a win in his penultimate start, so looks to be off a competitive merit rating and with Gavin Lerena up should be in the shake up. Captain Efficient is hard to ignore from a nice high draw.
In the last race over 1000m Dontshootthebarman won well over course and distance last time and from a nice high draw could follow up. Swing Upon A Star is drawn on the right side and could prove her class. Rondesbosch is a promising sort who can make his presence felt as Gavin Lerena should help him overcome a low draw. Johnny Appleseed is very quick and could make an attempt to blitz them. Bob’s Your Uncle is interesting stepped down to 1000m and can’t be ignored.
In the first race over 1400m Porridge Boy was thought highly of enough to travel to Cape Town and he was not disgraced in the strong race over there, but he does have a wide draw over here though. Yenjiku looks to be the danger.
In the second race over 1160m Pumpkin Pie is by Buffalo Bull Cody out of Grade 2 Gold Circle Oaks winner Sweetie Pie and would not have to special to win this race on debut. Cyber Spirit and Trail Runner make most appeal of the rest.
