JACK MILNER - TRAINER Tyrone Zackey is preparing Smanjemanje for the Dingaans on Sansui Summer Cup day on Saturday 28 November but the Kahal colt should be close enough to peak fitness to win Race 3 at the Vaal on Thursday, a Graduation Plate over 1400m.
He is well weighted and according to Zackey, his poor run in the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup at Turffontein 10 days ago, when he trailed in 36 lengths behind Pierre Jourdan, is best ignored. ``He choked up a bit in running and the jockey (Piere Strydom) felt it was safer not to ride him out.’’
Two runs earlier Smanjemanje and Strydom had edged out Pierre Jourdan over 1450m on the Turffontein inside track, only to lose the race in the boardroom. Considering Gary Alexander’s charge beat the likes of Fisani and Havasha in the Ready To Run Cup, that effort was full of merit.
In his next start Smanjemanje raced over 1200m, a distance well short of his best, and did well to run third, beaten 5.75 lengths by Rosette. Devin Habib rode him on that occasion and will be back in the irons.
Airbus was well supported in his last race over 1600m at Turffontein but found Keat’s Drift in a galloping mood. That was in a MR 92 Handicap and Alec Laird’s runner is likely to prefer this straight 1400m.
He has won over the course and distance, beating Gangsta Fury by 1.25 lengths, although that was back in July last year. Johnny Geroudis gets the ride on the Jet Master gelding.
With Charles Laird and Anton Marcus in such hot form, Commissionerstreet is going to have many supporters and is likely to be priced up favourite. It could be in his favour that this will be his third run after a layoff but this Australian-bred gelding has let the side down on too many occasions to be considered a ``good thing’’.
Acrisius looks above average and could upset the better-fancied runners if fit and well following a 180-day layoff during which Dominic Zaki’s charge was gelded. The son of Western Winter has run three times for a win and two places. Of significance is that his single victory came over this course and distance.
Apprentice Tshwaro Appie claims 4kg and that will see Acrisius race with a mere 49.5kg on his back.
Waitangi is another runner coming back from a break but if Geoff Woodruff has him anywhere close to his peak, the Captain Al colt should provide the answer to Race 6, a Novice Plate over 1000m. He has only raced three times, beating Lochlorien by 1.50 lengths in his debut and then running a five-length third to Mike Azzie’s highly regarded Vacherin in The Nursery over 1160m at Turffontein.
He was then rested and came out at Scottsville over 1000m but found Clearly Silver too good. It is relevant that Woodruff has given the ride to Marcus which gives more than a hint that he is expecting a forward run from this three-year-old colt.
The main threat should come from Joshua’s Call. Zaki’s runner won his only start to date, beating Joshua’s Song more easily than the 0.75-length margin suggests. He was backed from 5-1 to 2-1 to make a winning debut and did not let the side down.
Only the race will tell how good he really is.
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