Mount Pinatubo could become a force in the sprinting ranks this season (JC Photos)
The opening Highveld meeting of the new season is a nine race one at Turffontein Standside on Saturday and it is headlined by three Pinnacle Stakes events.
The third Pinnacle is the eighth race over 1000m and William Robertson is weighted to win, but this comes quckly after the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint a week ago and the ever improving Mount Pinatubo, who is officially 3kg under sufferance with William Robertson, could upset the applecart. Chocolate Soldier is very quick and will relish the fast winter conditions over the minimum trip. William Robertson should be lifting late and must be included in all bets. Ready To Charge should be cherry ripe and can earn. The consistent Quantum Theory has a fine form chance and should be right there from the usually favourable standside draw and his last win was in fact a year ago down the straight on this course, albeit over 1160m.
The first of the Pinnacles is over 1400m and forms the first leg of the Pick 6. Truth has the blinkers removed after a poor run in the Gr 2 Post Merchants at Hollywoodbets Greyville with first time blinkers and he should bounce back as he is effective over this course and distance with two victories in four starts. He has pole position which will give him the opportunity to dominate as he did the last time he won here. He is 1kg under sufferance with the best weighted horse Texas Red. Fire ‘N Flames is classy and is in good form and this is an ideal trip so he should be in the shake up from a fair draw. Texas Red won a Pinnacle Stakes event over course and distance in his last start, leading from pillar to post, and that confirmed that his runner up finish in the Gr 1 wfa Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m and his third place finish in the Gr 2 TAB Hawaii Stakes over this course and distance were no flukes. It won’t be easy to get to the front with Truth in the line up and he has a wide draw so Callan Murray has his work cut out. Melech has the class to be right there over a distance which is ideal considering his speed coupled with the fact he beat Main Defender over 1500m this season. He and Fire ‘N Flames are 1,5kg under sufferance with Texas Red. Bacchus and Chestnut Bomber are both only half-a-kilogram under sufferance and could be contenders, although the latter returns from a 126 day layoff.
The second Pinnacle is over 1800m and is the third leg of the Pick 6. The Equator was rumoured to have been working the lights out before his disappointing run in the Gr 3 Magical Zulu Kingdom 2200 on Hollywoodbets Durban July day. He seemed lost in that race, but he could bounce back at his home course and if repeating his best runs in the UK, the Galileo entire is the one to beat under Gavin Lerena, although his draw of five out of seven is tricky. King’s Express is the joint best weighted together with Hotarubi and from a good draw over a suitable trip should be right there. Royal Edition is an honest sort who could do well in this race from a good draw, although he is a massive 6kg under sufferance with the best weighted. Hotarubi could upset if it is a going day, but he is unreliable and frustrating to follow. Wcangoallnight is, like The Equator, only 1kg under sufferance, so he could earn if bouncing back over a drop in trip he will likely appreciate.
In the fifth race over 2850m Damova will stay this trip and from pole position should be a big runner. Mo Ment was outclassed last time at Hollywoodbets Greyville, but does well in staying races on the Highveld and from a good draw should make a bold bid. Enflame has ability and being by Irish Flame should have a chance of staying this trip and could be in the shake up. Royal Mazarin is a honest stayer who could be right there. To The Rescue should come into his own this season and can’t be ignored.
In the seventh over 1600m Impact Investor is drawn well over a suitable trip and looks the one to beat. Unsolved Riddle went close last time after a good win and with Gavin Lerena up from a good draw should be right there. Eiffel Tower has been doing well lately but does have a tricky draw. Pocket Watch was not disgraced last time and might enjoy this trip too from a good draw.
In the last race over 1000m Valieva has been in good form and has a chance from a high draw here. Phala Millions won well last time and from a high draw has a chance. Captain Efficient has a low draw but the draw hasn’t always been significant lately and he could be right there. Golden Aspen has the ability to be a factor in this race. One Tiger needs to bounce back after a below par run first time out of the maidens.
In the first race Master’s Lady makes most appeal having finished iclose to Alta Capitana on debut over 1160m and she is now back against the girls.
In the second race Brigitte Anne can reverse form with Bingo from a nice high draw on the presumption she improves.
In the third race over 1400m Heavenly Good should relish the step up in trip and Gavin Lerena stays aboard.
