Barbaresco (JC Photos)
The Turffontein Inside track stages a nine race meeting tomorrow (Saturday) and Barbaresco makes his reappearnce in a Progress Plate over 1600m.
The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained horses have tended to need their first starts this season, but according to official merit ratings the Gimmethegreenlight gelding is 4,5kg better off at the weights than any other horse and his class will help too. S’Manga Khumalo continues to be first choice rider for the yard at present and will not have an easy task from draw eight. The grey should relish the trip, considering he was regarded by the yard to have a bit of a stamina doubt over the 2200m of the Hollywoodbets Durban July and that belief appeared to be proven correct when he was unable to find extra from a dangerous position. Guy Gibson is second best in at the weights and has some class and could well progress this season. Gavin Lerena is up from a fair draw of five and the horse has had the benefit of one run this season, although that did come after a five month layoff. His comeback was a decent effort over 1200m and he will relish the step up to this more suitable trip. Sukhumvit is full of potential and this Silvano filly should also come into her own this season. She only has to carry 51,5kg and she is comfortably third best in at the weights, although she is 5kg out with Barbaresco and returns from a four month layoff which followed a well below par effort over 2000m where she pulled in the running and was blowing afterwards. Mastership looks to be capable of rising above his merit rating of 93 and could earn from a fair draw. United Council is another to consider for quartets for although it a step down in trip his two wins have both been over this trip.
The Progress plate forms the fifth leg of the Pick 6 and in the previous race, a handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, the Van Vuuren-trained Khumalo-ridden Nettleton could be a banker. She looked like she needed it last time when looking the winner but then finding no extra late over this same 1200m course and distance. She has a fair draw of four out of eight and will strip fitter. Her stablemate Lovegrass interestingly has Piere Strydom up from draw five. She has won two out of five over 1000m and on pedigree, being by Gimmethegreenlight out of Captain Al mare Eros’s Girl, who won the Listed East Cape Oaks over 2000m, she should relish the step up to 1200m. Golden Aspen has a wide draw of seven but is capable of a strong finish. Phantom Express is better than her last start. Micke’s Bomb is capable and is drawn in pole.
The sixth is a MR94 Handicap over 1200m for fillies and mares and this could also go to Van Vuuren and Khumalo with So Seductive. This Vercingetorix filly only has to overcome a three point raise for her last win over course and distance and she now has a better draw of three out of six. Stablemate Chasing Happiness also comes off a win over course and distance, in a Graduation Plate, and Strydom replaces Khumalo. She has only a one point higher mark and jumps from draw four. Hierkommiebokkie failed to make it a Highveld Hattrick last time but she now has a much better draw and will be dangerous. Vix Princess has a good turn of foot and is interesting stepped down in trip. Where’s The Party goes for a hattrick an is hard to ignore, although she has to overcome an eleven point raise after winning under sufferance last time.
The last leg of the Pick 6 is a tricky MR 74 Handicap over 1600m and Confederate could be the one to beat. The big son of Fire Away quickened well from the front to win second time out over this trip, but he has been given a 90 merit rating so it won’t be easy, although he has drawn well. Shinto Shrine has also shown good ability against horses who have been proven to be well above average and he also has a chance, although he also has to run off a 90 and has a tricky draw of six. Golden Pavilion is a solid older horse and from draw two with Khumalo up he should make his presence felt over a slight step up in trip he should handle. Coming In Hot caught the eye with an easy win over 1200m last time and has done well over this trip before but has a six point raise to contend with. Diwali Rocket won well when stepped up to this trip and is another three-year-old running off a 90 and Lerena is up from a fair draw.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m Roman’s Revenge is knocking on the door and will be hard to beat from draw four. Jaham by the top sire Kingman improved over 1600m second time out and could be dangerous with Lerena up over this suitable step up in trip.
In the second leg over 1500m Coral Blaze, Towers Of Gold and Gamer should fight it out.
In the first leg of the Bipot Wearingofthegreen is by Kingman out of a Galielo mare who won over a mile third time out in Ireland. First-timer Wearingofthegreen is a half-sister to a Dubawi Gr 2 winner over a mile and three furlongs on the turf in the USA and she would not have to be that good to win this race. Of the others runners Winter In Paris by What A Winter is a half-sister to Gr 1 winner Trip Of Fortune and hasn’t been disgraced in either start. Poplar Park ran a fair fifth on debut and could improve.
In the first leg of the PA, the Van Vuuren-trained Khumalo-ridden Inspector James is the suggestion to beat Tiger Storm and Sutherland.
