Skip to main content

By Mark van Deventer

This is a tightly rated Class 4 which should be run at a torrid pace. Both, FIRINGONALLEGINES (1) who has just one win from 15 starts but nevertheless comes off a career best figure and GREEN GARNET (3) are determined front-runners with conveniently low draws. Top jock Gavin Lerena (10 wins from his last 30 rides) is booked on the latter for Eric Sands, who has his stable in sharp form.   

Speed horses, MY ARCHANGEL (15), a last out Maiden winner, and recently gelded DALMENY FACTOR (16) are drawn wide. They will try get over – a difficult task. The game 7YO FORT RED (4) and COMMANDING (6) who ran much better last time, will find it easier to secure stalking trips from lower draws.  

Commanding’s trainer Glen Kotzen has endured a tough spell due to a virus in his stable. But he had a couple of winners on Saturday, the blood pictures of his horses are reportedly clear, so it now seems he is back in business. For those reasons, Commanding is respected.  

ICONIC DESTINATION (13) is the mystery horse in this handicap. Extremely talented as a youngster when running only a few lengths off Gr 1 stars, Charles Dickens and Dave the King, he suffered with breathing issues which seemed to have derailed his career. However, he recently ran much better since an apparently successful breathing operation, fairly close to his earlier speed numbers. If he is indeed restored to health, then he surely will be competitive at this class level off a significantly lowered mark. An official merit rating of 96 in early 2023 is now down to 81. That said, draw 13 complicates matters for jockey, Corne Orffer, on the boom-or-bust selection.  

PLEASE BE TRUE (10) goes for the high percentage Justin Snaith/Richard Fourie combo who win at a 30% clip and place nearly 60% of the time. The 3YO son of hot sire One World has a progressive, form pattern and should be cranked up third run after a rest and gelding.  

LEGAL COUNSEL (5) showed promise winning a Maiden in September ’24 but must settle better in running to threaten. KINGS QUEST (8) resumes having won a Maiden over this course and distance nine weeks ago. On earlier form he rates only a length or so behind PLEASE BE TRUE and has scope as a young, well- bred horse.  

WORLD OF PLEASURE (9) rallied to win in this grade and over the course and trip in November. A repeat puts him in the mix. Deep closer, UNICORN ALERT (7) is now 4.5kg’s better off for a two-length defeat after a rough passage so ought to at least, get upsides of that rival. JP van der Merwe will again ride him for luck – they will need all the favours given UNICORN ALERT’s hold up running style in a congested field. The expected strong pace should help.  

MENTE ET MANU (11) is a giant sized 3YO who has made respiratory noises at his recent starts. He finished just off the placed horses at this class level and now gets a three-point reprieve by the handicapper so can place if breathing comfortably.  

SCALINI (2) MARVEL WILLIAM (14) and WALK WITH ME (12) are out of sorts and must wake up dramatically to trouble the scorer.  

MARK VAN DEVENTER’S SELECTIONS:  

1310 – 3 – 7 – 8