Start your day the Piquet way.by Leon Setaro

Start your day the Piquet way

In the first race at Clairwood today the favourite No.1 Piquet from the
Jeff Freeman yard opened at 1/1 on Thursday but with 3 claims coming in for the
competitors since, the price has been pushed out to 15/10 retail with a
2/1 stretch available on Interbet.

According to the betting No.6 Havasha (claimed) is the primary danger at
22/10 but check out the owner's comments and draw your own conclusions -
Charl Pretorius (syndicate nominee), 'Havasha looks like a staying type,
he needs more ground but shows enough to be considered for Trifecta. He is
not as good down the straight as Beit Bridge (Piquet form) and is therefore
not expected to win; so the early claims not stable money.'

I can picture the scene unfolding now.. punters see the De Kock/Shea
combo, they see the claim. They see Piquet's excellent last two runs after the 5
month rest have both been 2nds behind De Kock runners, so they figure the
stable knows whether they can beat Piquet with Havasha or not. Claim =
yes, punters get stuck in Bookies smiling. Thanks but I'll stick with Piquet
and the generous 2/1.

Jeff Freeman's other runner on the day is Magical Meg at 14/1 in the 3rd
race. This filly has no recent form to speak of but she did show promise
early on in her career and returns now after a rest which could bring on a
return to sparkle. Hardly worth running out to get a bet on considering
this is the race with today's banker in 9/10 value shot Fort Sylvia. She has
faultless form with her last run being particularly good and is likely to
turn out leagues ahead of the moderate posers she meets here. For the
exotics, if she goes out she takes most down with her.

The 5th race is a tough one and there is no choice but to include a few.
Centaur has looked exceptional on the canter past for his last 2 starts
and must be put in despite finishing towards the rear in both those races. He
goes beyond the sprint trip today and this large free striding individual
must surely be looking for the extra. Evergreen sprinter Thunder Key also
takes his chances out beyond the speed game today but gives the impression
that he's an out and out sprinter so other preferred. Having said that, a
slow pace around the turn could work in his favour so consider for
inclusion. Surfin USA and Littleredcorvette are the other 2 that must go
in the Pick 6 alongside race favourite Bush Pirate.

In the 6th race, Bold Wonder (4/1) is a top class mare when getting things
right but has the bet-gutting habit of losing her race when the gates
open.
This competition looks well within her measure and the gamble rests with
whether she gets away on terms and puts in her true ability.


Lord London returns from a rest and gelding and is 2nd favourite
in the 7th race today.

Good to see the much hyped Lord London (5/2) back on the racetrack and he
steps out over 1200m in the 7th race. This field should prove no problem
for him and neither should the distance. If he doesn't get it right, Mr. Top
and Zidane's Gold should be enough cover to get through to the next round. For
more about Lord London read David Thistleton's article on
www.goldcircle.co.za

Vilayet is the 5/2 favourite in the last and she really caught the eye
with her speedy performance last time out against stronger. The concern is the
10.5kg hike up and if this turns out enough to stop her, a wide spread is
needed to have any sort of chance of finding the winner.

All in all, a nice day's racing and worth some punting attention - good
luck!



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