Almond Sea is the one to beat in the Gr 3 Sycamore Sprint. (JC Photos).
The Grade 3 Sycamore Sprint over 1160m is the headliner of the nine race meeting at Turffontein Standside on Saturday and Almond Sea could follow up on her last win.
Almond Sea has tended to start a bit slowly, which was problematic as she liked to be in the front and gallop the field into the ground. However, last time she was not able to get through and was forced to sit behind horses at the back. She proved to enjoy this tactic as she finished very strongly to win by 0.3 lengths. She beat the talented Poblano on that occasion, and the latter’s scratching has made her task easier here. However, this being a handicap is going to make it harder for Almond Sea all round as she was well weighted under the conditions of that last race. However, Almond Sea can do better this time, now that Gavin Lerena knows she is versatile in running style. Chrome Tourmaline is drawn on the right side and comes off a good win over 1200m and the form of that race has been franked. Andy’s Girl disappointed last time, but she has some class and is interesting over a sprint trip. Mia Moo was not disgraced in her last two starts in Cape Town, where the form tends to be stronger than Job’Burg, so she should do well in this handicap event with Piere Strydom up. Elegant Ice carries topweight but is capable, and did well last time considering she had to jump from the unfavourable draw one. She now has a nice high draw and with in-form Ryan Munger up, she could make an impact. Those are the ones that make most appeal.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 The Mightiest has a fair draw over a suitable trip and, having disappointed last time over 2000m, she should enjoy this step back down and trip. Aurora Green unfortunately has a wide draw, because she looks to be an improving sort who should go close if it does pan out well for her. City Lights is a long time maiden, but she is always thereabouts and from pole position she has a chance. Nkwenkwezi should be in the shakeup if able to reproduce her last good run over 1400m. On A Jet Plane was a well beaten second last time over 1450m, but should enjoy this step up and trip and she has a fair draw with Piere Strydom up.
In the second leg of the Pick 6, a strong pinnacle stakes race over 1800m, Hotarubi could be the one to side with. He is an enigmatic sort who can’t be relied on, but he is definitely capable, and from a draw of five out of eight with S’Manga Khumalo up he might be able to find cover before running on. Radiccio has plenty of ability and could still improve further because he has only run three times beyond 1475m, and his two runs over this trip were eyecatching. Tamarisk Tree is in fine form and is distance suited and well drawn and could claim a hattrick. Purple Pitcher is an effective front runner and should make his presence felt despite having to carry a big weight of 62kg. Champagne Cocktail bounced back to form last time when stepped up to 1800m and could be in the shakeup.
In the sixth race over 1400m, Pomodoro’s Jet has plenty of class and from a good draw over an ideal trip with Gavin Lerena up he could make it a hattrick. Gimmeanotherchance has always had plenty of class and this is likely his optimum trip, so he should go close from pole position under the good hands of Andrew Fortune. aboard, Ikigai won well last time over this course and distance, his first win for over three years, and his true ability is better tha his merit rating suggests so he could do well from a tricky draw. Infinite Wonder is well drawn and is capable but has not raced for over one and a half years. Captain Peg is course and distance suited, and has a good draw, returns from a layoff.
In the eighth race over 1400m, Just Be Lekker has a good draw and has the class to be a contender with S’Manga Kamalo up. Soldier’s Eye is effective over this trip and should be in the shake up despite having to overcome a wide draw. Mary’s Greenlight might enjoy the step down in trip and has a good draw. Pointer has plenty of ability and is effective over this trip but does have a tricky draw. Blue Horizon could be in the shake up of able to overcome a wide draw.
In the last race over 1400m Accept Cookies is capable of better than last time and can make amends over a suitable course and distance. Roaming Spirit brings good form and is distance suited and reasonably merit rated. Mocha Macaroon has been in fine form and should be thereabouts once again over an ideal trip. Last Ginger won well last time and could place here again although she has a wide draw to overcome. Perini Palace can be in the shake up if able to overcome a wide draw. Golden Moment has her third run after a rest and can go close if able to overcome a wide draw.
In the first race over 1100m One Fine Winter is well bred and the one to beat after a fine debut.
In the second over 1100m Tina Lovelace ran a fair fifth on debut and is drawn on the right side in this slight step up in trip, although the first-timers would not have to be great to feature here.
In the third over Apache has gone close in both Highveld starts and has a fair draw over a suitable trip with Lerena up. Sovereign Crown has improved with blinkers and could earn from a fair draw with Andrew Fortune up. Cronus made a good debut and has not been disgraced in two subsequent runs.
