We have the first official outing for a smart Pathfork gelding in the form of LOOK TO THE SKY, on Tuesday 29th January 2019. CHIEF OFFICER, a 2018 CTS Ready To Run Sale graduate, has a barrier trial at Scottsville on Wednesday 30th January and WINTER TWILIGHT has a nice chance in the first race at the Vaal on Thursday 31st January 2019. See more about their respective chances here.
Tuesday – 29th January 2019
Vaal Classic Course
Race 1 – 13:25
1000m – Maiden Juvenile Plate
5 – Look To The Sky
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Kabelo Matsunyane (-2.5kg)
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 10(16)
Current Betting: 20/1
A product of the 2018 KZN Yearling Sale, we are excited to see this geldings debut on Tuesday. He put up a very encouraging grass gallop a few weeks ago, in a time that could be deemed worthy of threatening the winners box first time out. However, being a two year old it is difficult to be confident about him repeating that in his first official start, in a bigger field of horses. With that said, we can expect an encouraging first outing and we will be looking for him to make a good account of himself.
Wednesday – 30th January 2019
Scottsville Racecourse
Race 10 – 12:35
800m – Barrier Trial
1 – Chief Officer
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Ashton Arries
Wgt: 57.0kg
Draw: 9(15)
He has put a few smart workouts leading up to this race and we can expect a solid gallop from him first time out. We will be looking for him to settle early on and finish off strongly. This run will no doubt bring him on a lot for his first official outing in a few weeks’ time.
Thursday 31st January 2019
Vaal Turf Course
Race 1 – 12:10
1000m – Workriders Maiden Plate
1 – Winter Twilight
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Francis Semela
Wgt: 60kg
Draw: 10(12)
Predicted Betting: 10/1
He put up an encouraging performance a week ago with the blinkers on, finishing in 4th place, just 2 lengths off the winner. That was over his favoured five furlong trip and we can expect an even bigger run in this relatively weak Workriders Maiden Plate. He is travelling a lot better in the early parts of his races and with that in mind, we expect him to be right in the shake up when it matters most. He provides a nice each way chance with particularly strong place claims.
Winning Form Comment: Smart last run with blinkers a week ago, strong claims.