Truth is tipped to win the Senor Santa (JC Photos)
The Championship Finale meeting on Saturday features four Gr 2s, two Gr 3s and a Listed event and is headlined by the Gr 2 R500,000 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m.
Truth has shown class since day one and has come into his own in his last two starts over 1400m and 1100m respectively. The 1160m trip should be ideal and Muzi Yeni can use his speed to position him well from draw five out of nine. Pistol Pete has put in three fine performances over this course and distance and can use his pace to overcome a disadvantageous low draw. Chasing happiness has a chance at the weights and is drawn on the right side. Mount Pilatus is in fine form and should be in the shake-up although a draw of three will be tricky. Taxi To The Moon was well beaten in the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint, but has an easier task here and could be involved. Chyavana is in fine form and is drawn on the right side, so is not out of it. Mrs. Browning is capable but has been off form. Melech has a disadvantageous low draw, but he has class and should be finishing strongly. Magic Tattoo is a capable sort and in an open race it would not be surprising if he finished in the money.
The first race of the day is the Gr 3 Pretty Polly Stakes over 1,100 meters. Jingleberry made an eye-catching debut and under Gavin Lerena should be running on strongly. Draw one is a bit of a concern, although it is a small field of just six runners. One Fine Winter is drawn on the right side under Richard Fourie and comes off a good second in the SA Fillies Nursery. She should be right there. Glastonbury has class and can do better than she did in the SA Fillies Nursery when finishing 2,60 lengths behind One Fine Winter. Malibu won easily on debut and could be anything, although this is a much stronger field. Red Caramel has a lot to find. Tina Lovelace was well beaten in the SA Nursery, but could do better than that.
The second race is the Gr 3 Tab Protea Stakes over 1,100 meters and the SA Nursery winner Green Diamond could beat the boys again. Tin Pan Alley made a good winning debut and has Richard Fourie aboard, but he is drawn on the wrong side. King Harald has 4,5 lengths to make up on Green Diamond, but could possibly do better than that. Kaalvoet made a winning debut, but it was in an uninspiring field and this is a completely different proposition. Lava County was beaten two lengths by Tin Pan Alley on debut and is now 3kg better off.
The third race is the listed Tab Gold Bowl over 3200m and the classy stayer My Soul Mate is well weighted here and is the one to beat under Richard Fourie. Battleground will relish the distance and if able to overcome a wide draw under S’Manga Khumalo could be a threat. Breeze Over is a dangerous front-running sort and has the ideal pole position draw to fulfill these tactics, provided he jumps well under a pilot who knows him well, Muzi Yeni. Twenty Drachma’s has always struck as one who should get better as he gets older and the best might not have been seen of him yet. To The Rescue is also a progressive sort, who could improve.
In the Gr 2 Camellia Stakes over 1160m Gimme A Shot has speed and class and is drawn on the right side so could be the one to beat under Muzi Yeni. Mia Moo is in fine form and it would be no surprise if this classy sort won the race, but she does have a low draw of two to overcome, although Piere Strydom up will help her cause. Almond Sea is a speedy and classy sprinter but, but does have the problem of usually starting slowly, so from a favourable draw nine she might experience some traffic problems on the outside rail. Winter Greeting is full of ability, but does take a while to come to hand and her last start suggested she might be ready to produce her best here. Time Fo Orchids is capable of a strong finish and is drawn on the right side. Chrome Tourmaline is in good form and could defy the weights, which officially give her a hard task.
In the Gr 2 Tab Igugu Stakes over 2000m Olivia’s Way put up a cracking performance in the Gr 1 TAB SA Derby and over an ideal trip here from a fair draw under Gavin Lerena looks to be the one to beat. World of Alice comes off a narrow runner up finish in the SA Oaks and is progressive, but might find this touch on the sharp side. None Other is a former SA Oaks winner and from pole position should be unwinding a good finish in the straight. Indian Ocean is a classy sort with a big stride and she goes well for Piere Strydom, so could be dangerous from a good draw of two. Beating Wings has plenty of ability and under Richard Fourie it would be no surprise to see her prevail.
In the Gr 2 TAB Colorado King Stakes over 2,000m Marauding Horde looked to be one who would come into his own as he got older and it looks to be his time to shine, so he is the one to beat from draw two over an ideal trip. Let’s Go Now is well weighted here and from a good draw should be finishing strongly under Richard Fourie. Hotarubi is full of ability, but is an enigmatic sort, so it all depends on his demeanour on the day. Infinite Wonder is distance suited and capable, but this is a second run after a one-and-a-half year layoff. Navajo Nation has always been facing strong fields and this easier task could see him earning.
