Mount Pilatus after winning on debut in May 2023. He has not won since but looks ready to do so tomorrow at Turffontein Standside (JC Photos)
A Middle Stakes race over 1160m is the headliner of a nine-race meeting at Turffontein Standside tomorrow (Saturday) and the Paul Matchett-trained Mount Pilatus looks the one to beat.
Named after a mountain overlooking the Switzerland city of Lucerne, this three-year-old Pomodoro gelding is ultra consistent and has a lot in his favour. Richard The First is an eyecatching entry but Mount Pilatus is 5,5kg better off with him for a one length beating over 1100m at this course and, furthermore, Mount Pilatus had the tough draw of one that day in mid-April. He now has a plum standside draw. Richard The First could still be dangerous. He goes well for Dennis Schwarz and has a fair draw of six out of ten over this ideal trip. He is 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner Tulip Tree (who is the only female participant), but is a progressive sort with good cruising speed and is capable of kicking off that speed. The last time he went this distance category over 1200m at the Vaal he was not hard pressed to win, beating the decent Black Egret by 0,75 lengths extending, but he was given a five point raise, which sees him under pressure under the conditions of this race. Rainbow Reward is ultra consistent and he only just failed last time when stepped up from his usual 1000m trip to 1200m. Chyavana is talented and has resolve but does have a tough low draw. Fire ‘N Flames is capable as he proved in his penultimate start, but he has the number one draw.
In the second race, the first leg of the bipot, Almond Sea turns out for the first time since losing her unbeaten record in the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery over 1160m. She is back to her favourite 1000m trip and in the fast winter conditions this ultra quick filly will be hard to beat. Watchman looks promising but was due out on Thursday. Cymric has class and will be dangerous, especially considering the early season speedsters are often found out as their opponents mature.
In the first leg of the PA Take Your Place has a standside draw and if repeating her last start over this trip is the one to beat. Kia Kaha is by Var out of a Trippi mare who won over 2000m, so she should have speed and the ability to stay on. She took a hefty bump at the start on debut and was not disgraced in fifth place. Hey Hey Julia has faced good sorts without being disgraced, but was beaten two lengths by Take Your Place when they met on debut.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is an uninspiring race. Tiger Storm has a nice high draw and was green on debut so could improve, although he was beaten in that race by Hat Man. The latter does not have inspiring form and is drawn low in four here, but will appreciate the step back to 1000m. Tyson The Brave had some decent form in the context of this race before a ten month layoff. Let’s Play Poker will be a runner if bouncing back from being eased out of the race last time and being found to be mildly distressed. Good To Great is a first-timer by Querari out of a Royal Air Force six time winner from 1200m to 1800m and can be included.
In the next leg Thunee Player is a capable sort who is interesting dropped back to this 1600m trip. He was close behind subsequent Gr 3 winner La Moohal when last trying 1600m. A chance it taken on including only him and the progressive Volare E Mambo, who is drawn seven over an ideal course and distance.
In the sixth race over 1600m Sneak Preview was drawn on the wrong side at the Vaal last time and was not persevered with in the closing stages. She is not sure to enjoy the step up to 1600m being by miler Fire Away out of a Fastnet Rock mare who won four times from 1200m up to 1400m, but a good draw will help. Darling Harbour has fair form and a good draw, but a step down in trip might not suit. Across The Pond has always struck as one with a bit of promise and being by Bezrin should help her stay the trip, which it will need to because her Captain Al dam won four times from 1160m to 1200m.
In the eighth 1160m Longsword is capable of mowing them down from a nice high draw. Duke Of Rock missed the break last time so a line can be drawn through that run because he is capable of kicking off his fair natural pace. Cian The Conqueror has dropped to a competitive mark, but does have a low draw to overcome. Veldskoen has a lowish draw but has the form to be a contender. Cityscape is worth including too.
The last leg of the Pick 6 is tricky and all of Della’s Sword, Vava Vegas, Dark Tide, Kittyboysgirl and Samthewiseman can be included.