Ariovistus will appreciate the step up in trip to 1600m and can follow up on his win over 1400m last time (JC Photos)
One of the highest rated races at the Turffontein Standside meeting on Saturday is a MR 95 Handicap over 1600m and Ariovistus could follow up on his last win over 1400m.
Ariovistus’ two wins in the Cape before joining the Tony Peter yard on the Highveld were over 1950m and he duly won on debut over on the Highveld over 2000m. However, last time out he was put in a 1400m race and led from start to finish. He won by 1,50 lengths and looked to have a bit in hand at the finish, so the three point raise he was given could have been lenient. He jumps from pole position, so if jumping well will have the opportunity to repeat the front-running tactics. Trombolines is in good form and jumps from draw two. He could build on his win over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time, especially considering he finished three lengths behind the talented Erroll Flynn the last time he ran over 1600m. On some collateral formlines he has Arivistus’s measure, but the question is how much in hand the latter had last time. Oklahoma Smokeshow led last time over this trip and only just failed. He might come over from draw six and give Ariovistus a tow. The latter is quite versatile in running style and can come from off the pace. Those are the three who make most appeal.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is over 1800m and Philasane Mxoli has opted to ride The Equator at the expense of Palace Prince. He partnered The Equator to victory over this course and distance last time. The Equator is known as a one-paced sort, but when held up in that last race time he turned it on well and can repeat the feat from a pole position draw. The concern is he is 1,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted horse’s King’s Express and Royal Invitation. Palace Prince fought well last time to get up over 1600m from Oklahomo Smokeshow. He is by Potala Palace out of a Jam Alley mare who won five times from 1600m up to 2000m, so this first attempt beyond a mile will be interesting. Carrying just 50kg he is only half-a-kilogram out with the two best-rated horses. Hawkbill is 2kg better off with The Equator for a 0,80 length beating, so has a fine chance if able to overcome a a tricky daw of six out of seven.
In the fifth race over 1160m Kudikaran was unfortunately scratched from a Gr 2 Juvenile race over 1200m on World Pool Gold Cup day after getting loose at the start and he could prove his ability here. He finished third in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion over 1200m last time and although he was beaten 6,40 lengths the two in front of him, Haute Couture and Rich Man’s World, look to be top class. The form of that race has worked out well too and he has a middle draw. Vibe SA is drawn on the right side for a change and will have a fine chance over an ideal course and distance. He is three points higher than his last win, but he was drawn low on that occasion. Espinoza ran well from a high draw last time over course and distance and he has another high draw, so should be in the shake up.
In the sixth race over 1600m Secret Life had to be used to some extent to overcome a wide draw over 1400m last time and she nearly made all. She wasn’t stopping and looks likely to enjoy the step up in trip from a plum draw this time of two. The winner of that race, Concordia, has a tricky draw of six this time and is 2kg worse off for a 1,40 length beating. However, she did run on well in that race and looks to have turned the corner. Pretty Analia is drawn well and can usually be relied on to produce a strong finish from well off the pace.
In the eighth over 1600m, American Beauty has a plum draw of two and can be another horse to follow up on her win last time over 1400m for which she got a four point raise. She has won over 1800m before and should relish the step up in trip. It is her third run after a layoff and she won from start to finish last time and is now better drawn, so should go close. Into Dancing is in fine form and looks to be coming into her own so can overcome a four point raise over a trip which is just as much to her liking as the 2000m was last time. Sikeloi is knocking hard and if able to overcome a tricky draw should be right there, although she has been given four points in all for her two successive second place finishes.
In the last race over 1400m Zip Code has pole position and is ideally distance suited, so could make a bold bid off a merit rating which looks competitive. Bay Empire won well last time and looks capable of overcoming a three point raise, but he would probably prefer 1600m. Spy Story should have come non from his last run and shoulkd enjoy the step up in trip so can do well off a mark which has come down a lot from when he last ran over this trip.
In the third race over 1160m Hot Choice made a good debut and can go close from a nice high draw. Be All You Can Be should be in the shake up and Destiny’s Dream went close in her only run over this course and distance so also has a chance.
In the second over 1400m From The Get Go has some fair Cape Town form and looks the one to beat, although he will have to overcome as tricky draw. Royale Jacket makes most appeal of the rest.
In the first over 1000m Meghan’s Diamond will enjoy the step down in trip and should go close.
