The stable sends out eight runners at Turffontein’s standside track on Sunday. Here are Mike’s pre-race comments:
Race 1, 1000m: “Read All About It is a first-timer by Hawwaam. He is not as quick as Easy Tiger, who won for the same owners recently, but he is quite mature and forward with classic speed – should be in touch early and finish well. The strength of his opposition is unknown, but Read All About It must have a chance of getting close on his debut.”
Race 2, 1400m: “Great Notion tries 1400m again, we’ve taken the blinkers off, she was too keen last time and Ryan Munger felt 1400m would suit. The tongue tie stays on. What you see is what you get, she is no good thing, but should put up her usual decent performance.”
Race 3, 1400m: “Roaming Spirit is in the right race and has the right form, we expect her to win. Oasis is no star, but she is much better than her debut and we’re hoping for improvement.”
Race 4, 1400m: “Calantha is an honest filly with ability, tries hard. Craig Zackey said after her last run over 1200m that she’ll enjoy 1400m, she was doing good work late in the race that day, so we’ve followed his advice. She has a handy weight against the colts and could fight it out.”
Race 5, 2400m: “Littlemarysunshine is doing well, we’re trying the 2400m with her, because this is not a particularly strong Listed field. We cannot say with any certainty that she will do well over this trip. She raced over 2450m in the Oaks as a three-year-old and was well beaten, but that was a stronger field and she’s older and stronger now. We’re hoping she can find the money and earn some black type.”
Race 6, 1800m: “Marauding Horde is maturing well and he’s in a good space, improving. He enjoys this course and distance, unbeaten, and he races off a handy 52kg. He should be competitive, include him in your bets.”
Race 7, 1600m: “Mary’s Greenlight is already a Listed winner and she has the ability to beat a field of this calibre. This is her third run after a rest, she’ll be peaking and for once she has a better draw. Apprentice Mayhew’s 1,5kg allowance will also help. She’s a runner, include everywhere.”