Heather’s Boy is officially 8,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner in the Graduation Plate event he runs in on Tuesday at Turffontein Standside, but the scopey son of Rafeef is still expected to win. (Picture: JC Photos).
All eyes will be on the Mike de Kock-trained Heather’s Boy at today’s Tuesday meeting at Turffontein Standside as he runs in a Graduation Plate over 1600m just eleven days before the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, for which he is still an entry.
De Kock also has Greaterix and Artist’s Model in the Cape Guineas, but the former endured a hard race in the Gr 2 Betway Dingaans on Saturday when finding himself in front and probably going too hard, while the latter was beaten by over ten lengths so will have a hard task if takingh his place.
Heather’s Boy has been impressive and obviously has a lot of scope for further improvement as he has been green. He was challenged last time by the smart Bacchus, who franked the form by winnig next time out in easy fashion. Heather’s Boy gave Bacchus 1kg and a half-a-length beating over the course and distance of today’s racing and would have benefitted from being in a battle as the penny still had to drop with him. Today he is drawn in pole position in a seven horse field and officially has a very tough task at the weights. Acccording to official merit ratings he is no fewer than 8,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner, who is his stablemate, the year older filly Champagne Cocktail. Heather’s Boy is in fact only fifth best in at the weights. However, such is his scope for improvement that he is still tipped to win. In fact one fact in his favour is Guy Gibson is second best in at the weights and is officially 8kg well in with Heather’s Boy, but the latter’s stabemate Greaterix slammed Guy Gibson by 8,75 lengths last time over this trip in a Graduation Plate that had a similar weight structure to this one. Guy Gibson might still be able to run a place here as he has some class and has run better in his last two starts than he has been running lately. However, the chief danger could be We Are The Logans. He is only 2,5kg well in with Heather’s Boy but has shown class in the past and is in good form at present. The three-year-old Truth has been disappointing for a while and has another tough draw, but if it pans out well he could earn as he is also showing signs of a form return. Heather’s Boy is taken to beat We Are The Logans with Truth and Guy Gibson next best and then Champagne Cocktail, who has become a disappointing sort.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 Roman’s Revenge has turned the corner since being associated with Chase Maujean and a five point raise might not prevent the hattrick. However, Only A Poet made a fine Highveld debut over this trip for a new yard and has to be included, although he has a tricky draw. Silvano’s Song has a form chance but also has a tricky draw. Romeo’s Magic is well drawn and a repeat of his last run could see him in the shake up. Storm Ahead should be included as he will enjoy the step back in trip after winning his maiden well over it and then failing over 2400m.
In the sixth race over 1400m Wolf Mountain ran a cracker last time when a narrow second in the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes over this course and distance and due to an operator’s condition he escaped with a four point raise. His capped merit rating makes him potentially well handicapped here and he has a fair draw. Grey Jet won his maiden well but the form has not worked out particularly well and he has a tough draw. Choisaanada was not disgraced last time in a Graduation Plate but on formlines has a tough task with Wolf Mountain. Busstopinhounslow is on the up and relished the step up to 1200m last time and should enjoy a further step up in trip. Daring Dash could earn if producing his best but he needs to bounce back.
In the seventh over 1400m Blue Horizon is full of ability but has not enjoyed much luck lately and has come down another point in the merit ratings. She has a fair draw and should enjoy the Standside track with it’s long straight. Queen Of Love had won two in row before failing in a Gr 3 feature last time but back in this class and sneaking into the handicap with the minimum weight she could have a say. Duenna is a hardknocking sort who is distance suited and well drawn but she did finish behind Blue Horizon last time. Alabama Anna sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weigtht and is well drawn and comes from an in form yard and she beat Blue Horizon when they last met so she is hard to ignore. Ceuta beat Alabama Anna when they met in July but is worse off at the weigthts and has not run since then.
In the eigthth over 1400m Tried And Trued has improved in the Robyn Klaasen yard and has notable resolve. She can make it a hattrick despite a tricky draw and is suggested as a banker. For the risk averse the biggest dangers look to be Rattle Bag and Coffeeberry, although for the latter this will be tougher than the tasks she faced in Zimbabwe.
In the last race Pennsylvania won in classy style second time out and can follow up despite being given a 90 merit rating. Secret Chord bounced back to form last time and was unlucky too so can do well from a nice high draw. What A Tiger should be in the shake up.
In the first leg of the Bipot Winter In Paris is drawn on the right side and could fight it out with Chilli Marmalade.
In the first leg of the PA Mount Darwin is reunited with Gavin Lerena who is one from one aboard him. He will enjoy this course and distance from draw two. He looks to be a PA banker but Vesuvio and Birthright look set to run good races too.
