The Specialist, bought out of the MJ Odendaal yard, makes his debut for the Sean Tarry yard in a Graduation Plate over 1200m at Turffontein Inside (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
The Turffontein Inside meeting on Saturday has eight races and a Graduation Plate over 1200m, a MR 91 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m and a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1450m are the headliners.
In the Graduation Plate the classy The United States colt The Specialist has his first start for Sean Tarry and he will be hard to beat if he repeats the performances that saw him finishing tie third in the Gr 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m and a possibly unlucky second in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m. He had earlier won two races over 1200m and 1000m respectively and he is officially 4,5kg better off at the weights that any other runner. He does have a tricky draw of five out of six though. Beamonesque is better than his last two starts and should now be cherry ripe, although off his current merit rating he is 7,5kg under sufferance. He has pace and has a good draw of two with Muzi Yeni aboard. Champion Warrior looked a promising sort at one stage and he might enjoy this trip running fresh, although he is officially 11,5kg under sufferance. Fostinovo’s two career wins have been over sprints, but he has a wide draw and is 12,5kg under sufferance. The second best in at the weights is Mount Pinatubo and he has some class too, although he has to bounce back from a run in which he finished nearly ten lengths behind The Specialist and he felt amiss that day. He will likely need the run but his class could pull him into the places. Green Sceptre is hoplessly out at the weights.
In the Mr 91 handicap Queen Of Fire could thwart Hirekommibokkie from recording a quick Highveld hattrick. The Paul Matchett-trained Erupt filly beat Fatal Flaw in her maiden win over 1400m and the latter went on to finish second in the Gr 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m and second in the Gr 1 Douglas Whye Thekwini Stakes. Queen Of Fire has not lived up to that good performance to date but a break since mid May might have done some good. A draw of two should help and she is only officially half-a-kilogram under sufferance carrying the minimum weight of 52kg under in form Philasande Mxoli. Hierkommiebokkie has good natural pace and can use it to overcome her wide draw of seven out of seven. She has been under no pressure to win her two starts over 1200m and 1450m respectively on the Highveld so an eight point raise might not stop her from a hattrick. Second Breath is capable of staying on well so is interesting from pole position under Gavin Lerena, although the latter does have to ride 1kg overweight. Golden Aspen is also capable of a strong finish from off the pace so could earn in a race where the likely good pace will suit her. It’s Her Way disappointed last time with first time cheekpieces and can do better.
In the Pinnacle Stakes event Unzen gets another opportunity over his ideal trip and he comes off a run over 1400m in which he lowered the colours of Main Defender. He has a good draw and Gavin Lerena stays aboard. This time he is officially the joint best weighted horse together with Zinovi. The latter has shown his class since a succcessful breathing operation and he might well appreciate the step up in trip having not been disgraced last time over 1200m when giving 9kg to the classy Back In Business and being beaten by four lengths. Tsar Bomba is only 1,5kg under sufferance and is distance suited but does have a tricky draw and has not run for three months. Swing Upon A Star has some class but is only 2kg better off with Unzen for a 7,25 length beating. Mercantour is well drawn and is 6kg better off with Zinovi for a five length beating.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 5 The Cane Train has the form to go close over a suitable trip here. Jaham is by the top European sire Kingman and can improve on his moderate debut. Roll Of The Dice is moderate but is usually thereabouts. Gamer is capable but not reliable and a wide draw is against him. Future Knight has run two poor races but has now interestingly joined the Sean Tarry yard.
In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m Guerilla Warfare has shown signs of class and could come to the fore over this step up in trip.although he has a tricky draw. Flag Bearer is in good form and from a good draw this distance suited galloper should go close again. Eiger Sanction beat Flag Bearer by 2,75 lengths last time and is now 4kg worse off. Rainy Season is well drawn over a suitable trip and could earn. Calaburn comes off a good run over 1500m and willl appreciate the step up in trip.
In the fifth race over 1200m Salenio Peninsula justified support on debut and could follow up off a reasonable 86 merit rating against exposed horses. She runs off a reasonable 86 merit rating but does have a tricky draw of six. Howeverm beyond her it is a wide open race.
In the last race over 1450m Force De Dieu won well last time and looks to be on the up having had three runs for this yard. He could feasibly overcome an eleven point raise from pole position after winning his maiden with ease last time over course and distance. Golden Pavilion is in good form and is distance suited but does have to overcome a tricky draw. Secret Recipe is a consistent earner and on Highveld form should be right there from draw five. Moonlight Trader was disappounting last time but if bouncing back ffrom a fair draw can be in the shake up. After Hours can never be written off.
In the first leg of the bipot over 1600m Glamorous Lady should have a fine form chance from pole position.
