Guest columnist ANDREW HARRISON previews Saturday’s Allied Steelrode-Onamission Charity Mile and other feature races.
Sean Tarry is a master at getting his runners spot on for the big days. He saddles 16 runners at Turffontein tomorrow including the mare Callmegetrix and the filly Rodeo Drive in the Allied Steelrode-Onamission Charity Mile that heads a 10-race feature filled card.
The Gr2 event has attracted a good mix of runners and those charities represented in the 16-runner field can all be hopeful with an upset a distinct possibility.
However, Tarry’s pair met last time out with Rodeo Drive almost delivering a 20-1 shock with short-priced favourite Callmegetrix getting home by a neck. Rodeo Drive is bottom weight on Saturday and 1kg better off with her stable companion so the inference is obvious as both have favourable draws.
Fabian Habib will have been disappointed with 14 gate for Confederate who was back in mustard form with a convincing last win. The Hollywoodbets Durban July is the only real hiccup in his form line but he likes to go forward and Rachel Venniker will need some luck in running if Confederate is to find a favourable slot with a couple of runners on her inside also likely to be keen.
That said, Confederate looks smart enough to overcome the draw.
If Habib was disappointed with his draw, Erico Verdonese will have been mortified with gate 16 for Choisaanada who also likes to go up handy. The son of Querari found himself caught for closing speed in the recent Jo’Burg Sprint Stakes over a trip on the short side but he was only a length behind the lightly weighted and progressive Tin Pan Alley. He does get the vastly experience Gavin Lerena aboard which is in his favour.
There are plenty of others in with strong chances, the more obvious ones being Atticus Finch, Spumante Dolce and Otto Luyken with Fairview raider Zinovi something of an unknown quantity but from a stable that is red-hot.
The PA kicks off with the Golden Loom Handicap where Charming Cheetah enjoyed reverting to a sprint when beaten by the smart Miami Mountain last time out and she has the benefit of a light weight. Chieftain has been rested but won his last two over course and distance while Karate Kid is overdue another win. Surprise package could be raiding King Of The Gauls who has been under performing of late but the raid suggests that he is back to his best.
Elegantrix is likely to start a short price for the Gr3 Starling Stakes, first leg of the Pick 6. She may just have needed her seasonal debut when second behind World Of Alice in a Graduation Plate and that run should have brought her on. However, she faces three unbeaten fillies in Stormy Day, Ovation Star and Warm Reception. Stormy Day was scratched from her intended start this last Thursday as was Ovation Star who was due last Sunday. Warm Reception was equally impressive on debut although easing in the market.
The Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes is a fascinating contest. Tarry saddles Tin Pan Alley who ran on stoutly to win the Jo’Burg Spring Challenge from a fast-finishing Atticus Finch who was giving the winner 10kg.
Mike and Mathew de Kock have three smart runners. Whispering Death looked a little lethargic in his last start but it was his first since March so understandable. Muzi Yeni rides with Callan Murray opting for Miami Mountain who got the better of Charming Cheetah at just his third start. Third on the De Kock’s list is runaway maiden winner One Eye On Vegas with Hollywood Racing’s retained rider, Sean Veale aboard. Paul Matchett’s gelding Zalatoris was 1.5 lengths behind Miami Mountain last time out but did have the worst of the draw on the inside track. He now has pole and the extra furlong will suit.
