Back In Business was an impressive winner last time out (JC Photos)
The Listed Betway Spring Spree Stakes, to be run over 1200m on Turffontein Inside on Saturday, always welcomes in the Highveld Spring feature season and is usually a rewarding race for those who do their homework.
Back In Business could be the one to side with in this year’s 1200m event on Turffontein Standside. Joe Soma has always held this William Longsword gelding in high esteem. He lost his confidence due to a starting stalls incident when “bolting” with the jockey still on under dubious circumstances. That saw him having to be rested from September to December last year when he should have been progressing into a feature candidate. Nevertheless, he proved his class last time when crusing in by 2,25 lengths at this course over 1450m. Before that he had audaciously been entered in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Staks over 1600m, which showed just how high he is rated. He was beaten out of sight, but that probably just proved he did not stay the trip, so he will enjoy this step down to 1200m just obver six weeks after that last win. Back In Business showed an exceptional turn of foot in that 1450m win to come from off the pace and slice through the field like a hot knife through butter. And that was despite being a little bit keen early, which suggests he will enioy the step down to 1200m. A draw of six will be just about perfect and Muzi Yeni stays aboard. He was raised six points for that last win, but only has to carry 53kg and can progress beyind that merit rating.
Quantum Theory won this race last year and although he is five points higher in the merit ratings, he was drawn nine last year and this year is drawn three. He comes off a good win over 1160m, where he showed a lot of resolve to get up, and his odds of 20/1 in that race signalled that it was a return to form.
Ready To Charge won well over 1160m in March before being slow away from the unfavournble number one draw in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint. A line can be drawn through that race and as those last two runs were preceded by a trip to Cape Town, he deserved a break. Over this trip he could get away with running fresh from a fair draw of five and he should come into his own this season, being by Gimmethegreenlight out of the classy Australian-bred speedster San Fermin (Charge Forward).
Chyavana is consistent and reliable over this category of trip. He is only two points higher for his last win and the only concern is his draw of nine out of eleven.
Zinovi has a lot of speed and class and was only hampered early in his career by breathing issues. Howwever, he had two good wins after a wind op and his only run since was in the Gr 1 Golden Horse Casino Sprint where he was undwer sufferance. He has to carry topweight but is drawn well in four and has the class as well as the help of Piere Strydom, although this is his first run for three months.
Silent War could be dangerous from pole position as he has a good turn of foot and the ability to find extra when necessary. However, he looks held by Quantum Theory on their last meeting over 1160m, although that was probably a below par run and he can do better.
Halberdier is 2,5kg under sufferance and has a tricky draw of eight and also looks held by Quantum Theory on their last meeting. However, he showed what he is capable of in his penultimate start over 1100m when beating Quantum Theory by 2,25 lengths on terms that were actually 1kg worse than what he faces him on here.
Guy Gibson has class and a good turn of foot. He has not been seen out for six months but is drawn well in two and has in form Gavin Lerena up. Running fresh over a trip too sharp he should be finishing strongly.
Cliff Hanger has pace and a kick and should come into his own this season, so is interesting, but it is his first run for three months and he has a wide draw of ten.
Fire ‘N Flames can’t be ignored because in his last win three runs ago he put up a devastating display over this trip down the straight. However, he is unreliable as is shown by his next two starts when last in both of them.
Thunderstone is 1kg under sufferance and is up against it from the widest draw of all having not run since finishing 5,30 lengths back in tenth in this race last year.
They are selected in the order mentioned.
