Weekend runner comments

Punters will be looking forward to this weekend’s racing following the postponement of several recent meetings due to rain. With further rain forecast for both Gauteng and KZN, we can only hope that the rescheduled meetings go ahead as planned, because there are a few betting opportunities to look out for.

Betway Ambassador Mike de Kock has runners in two of the three feature races re-programmed for Turffontein’s Saturday meeting, starting with Marauding Horde in Race 4, the Listed Wolf Power 1600. Mike said: “We haven’t been able to do full work due to the rain, but Marauding Horde tends to run well when he’s fresh. He prefers a bit further and will improve with this run, but I’d be scared to leave him out. He is in a good space after his rest.”

Greaterix is the favourite on Betway’s boards for the Grade 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m, where he takes on two Graded winners in Cosmic Speed and Fire Attack. “Greaterix returned slightly distressed after his run in the Dingaans. He raced too hard up front that day. He’s very fast and with his good speed should be well suited over the shorter distance. This is a good test, he is too short in the betting but he has a chance, he should be right there.”

Easy Tiger, by Rafeef, makes her debut in Race 1 over 1000m. “She’s green, a naughty type of filly, but she shows us a fair amount of speed, so must have a chance of getting into the money,” said Mike.

Buster Barnes has his first run for the stable in Race 9 over 1400m. He’s a versatile winner of seven of 10 starts in his native Zimbabwe, including the Grade 1 OK Grand Challenge. Mike said: “Buster Barnes has been with us a few months and he took his time to get going. However, his recent work has been encouraging, he is improving and starting to show his worth. He is owned by Zimbabwe’s Centaur Syndicate, they have been a pleasure to deal with and we are pleased having been entrusted with his career. We’re all interested to see how he goes in this field, which is competitive. He will come on with the run.”

We dealt with Top Seed in last week’s column. His race has been rescheduled at HWB Scottsville for Sunday (Race 3), and he’s considered to have a winning chance.

Officer In Command, Trois Trois Quatre and Mvelelo go to post in Race 4 over 1600m. Mike said: “He comes off a rest, he is doing well but will improve with the run. Trois Trois Quatre has had a few of his runs cancelled, we need to race him to get him fitter. Of the three I have a slight preference for Mvelelo, who has a handy weight.”

Calantha was impressive when winning in Gauteng last time and the stable is hoping she can follow up in Race 5 over 1200m, the Germany B Stakes. “All is well with her, she’s a big runner,” assessed Mike.

Mary’s Greenlight bounced back to her best with a Listed win in the Flamboyant Stakes over 1600m and has a chance again in Race 7, Michael Roberts Stakes over 1750m. “She’s had to contend with wide draws a few times in her career and we have to do it the hard way again here. She is fit and well, the 1750m is perhaps stretching it a bit, but she warrants inclusion.”

Woodland Glade (course and distance winner) and Jaham (blinkers will be fitted) go to post in Race 8 over 1950m. “Both have got improvement in them, but they’re well enough to be competitive. I’d include both in calculations.”