Easter is at Clairwood today by Leon Setaro

Easter is at Clairwood today


It's Easter time at Clairwood Park today and we've got an interesting racing program on the cards where the Easter Handicap is the headliner.Here's a quick run through of the highlights..


Lunar mornin' to y'all. At this time of the year Summerveld daybreak is an absolute pleasure.. perfect autumn weather, crisp skies and as seen yesterday, the two brightest heavenly bodies both on display

In the 1st race trainer Paul Lafferty sends out the unusual looking No.6 Jet D'eau (2/1), a filly who is simply all legs! She picked up an injury earlier this year during a routine grass gallop and was given a shortbreak but is now back in full work. Although likely to be better suited to much further, she does have natural speed and the 1400m should pose no problems. There's two others showing early promise No.1 Almavira(2/1) and No.7 Silent Call (8/10) so Jet D'eau is by no means a good thing but keep an eye on her she could be one to follow.


The exciting Jet D'eau - official poser-shot

In the 3rd race one to watch is No.3 Profhound (7/1) from the Mark Dixonyard. This is an eye catching individual and the way he is improving,tagging a maiden soon should be no problem.


The imposing monster that is National Emperor (pic Saturday morning)

In the 4th race we have a great contest lined up between Dennis Drier'sNo.1 National Emperor (1/1) and No.2 Oriental Spirit (1/1). Both boast ultra promising formlines but unfortunately both are also plagued with problems and carry the label 'unsound'. According to Stuart(assist.trainer) all is on track at the moment and their work has been fine, it's now a matter of getting through the race without injury.Whilst Dennis Drier was unwilling to make a judgment call as to who is best, Stuart did lean slightly towards National Emperor as his choice.When I spoke with Sean Cormack shortly before he departed SA, he made particular mention of National Emperor as one to follow this season and considering the sensational line up of sprinters Dennis Drier has in his care at present, National Emperor must be something special.


Oriental Spirit gets put through his paces by rider Sean Veale Saturday morning

In the 5th race we have another tight sprint contest with classy No.2 Intellectual representing KZN against the intentions of a winning Cape invasion by trainer D. Hodgson with No.1 Casey Cool (14/10).Intellectual was very disappointing last time and should be given another chance here because if he can reproduce his previous two efforts, then he will be the one to thump home the 'watch out' messagethat KZN is in the game this season - The stakes invaders will be repelled!

In the 6th race Dylan Cunha is confident that No.1 Gilmore Girl (7/2)can get back to winning ways but she will have to turn the tables on the physical giant No.5 Miss Lovita (9/2), who beat her convincingly lasttime out. No.4 Touch the Moon (7/2) has been sharpening up over shorterand she should relish the extra. Whether she is ready to defeat this type of field remains to be seen but she is talented and promises more.


No.7 at 7/1 in the 7th race! - Powerhouse Sports Factor isn'tthe most enthusiastic worker but he gets the job done and his run todayin the Easter handicap will be watched with interest

Race 7 is the Easter Handicap feature and the outstanding No.5 KingFernando (9/2) gets a chance to show just how good he is when taking on a competitive line up of upper class campaigners. If he is all he promises to be then he should win this but it won't be easy. No.2 Mr.Esplendid (7/2) can run with the best of them on his day and must ber espected once again after winning easily over the course and distance last time out. The interesting runner here is No.7 Sports Factor (7/1) from the Lafferty yard. He's highly rated by his owner/trainer and is looking exceptionally well on the training tracks at present. Expect a race-fit return to racing and it will be no surprise to see him dig down and win his first feature.

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On the betting front it's not an easy afternoon but with such excellenttalent on display, a few wagers are unavoidable. Jet D'eau and National Emperor promise much more to come but a betting drift is needed to sweeten the deal. Sports Factor could sneak a place at generous odds in the feature and in the 5th, a 'hard to pin down for a win' Intellectua ltempts yet again at the opening price of 5/2. Although today may not offer much in terms of big money punting, it does promise to reveal information pertinent to making future returns on the horses mentioned ,so if you're in the area get down here for some in-the-flesh live racingaction at Clairwood Park. See you there..

Leon Setaro is a horse racing photo-journalist for INTERBET; the comprehensive online betting solution where (from one account) you can bet with over 100 Bookmakers or direct on the Phumelela/Gold CircleSaftote. Open an account and take your bets at www.interbet.co.za and/or use your mobile phone to wager all your Tote and Bookie bets.. anywhere,anytime. Interbet also offers a full range of local and international sports betting options. Click here to link direct - INTERBET

The only thing that Intellectual will repel today is the flies from his box. He is scratched. I must say I was impressed with Oriental Spirit last time while Silent Call is trained at Clairwood and will be tough to beat.

Thanks again Leon and Bob as always stunning pics

(tu)

would be nice to know the jockey changes considering we have gauteng postponed to today...

wow this national emperor looks like a russian heavyweight boxer - nice pic leon

Should go close with these exotics:
Turffontein:
PA: 16,1 x 5,3,4 x 6,1 x 1,2,3 x 6,2 x 13,3,5,4 x 12,9,4,13 (R1440,00)
P6: 5,3,4,7 x 6,1,5 x 1,2,3,7,6 x 6,2,4 x 13,3,5,2,1 x 12,1,4,13,14,3 (R5400,00)
JP: 6,1,5 x 1,2,3,7,6 x 6,2,4 x 13,3,5,2,1 (R225,00)

Note the 2 BIG roughies in Turffontein today:
R4 # 5 Draw Bridge Sage Wrogeman (16/1)
R5 # 6 Desert Maiden Ferraris JP vd Merwe (20/1)

Agree with Zanzamar but #7 Royal Charger could challenge
R3 # 16 Xerazade Girl Webber Lerena should be a good each way bet, but Striker will try with #1 Pacha trying 2000

Clairwood:
PA: 12(3) x 1,2 x 5,1,4 x 4,5,6 x 2,5,3,5 x 3,5,6,2,1 x 5,2,10,2,13 (R1800,00)
P6: 1,4 x 2,1,4,3 x 4,5,6,3,1,2 x 2,5,3,7,1,4 x 3,5,6,2,1 x 5,10,2,13,7,1,3 (R10080,00)
JP: 2,1,4,3 x 4,5,6,3,1,2 x 2,5,3,7,1,4 x 3,5,6,2,1 (R720.00)

I believe R 2 # 5 Silver Sheik Naidoo Botha should prove hard to beat and
R3 # 12 Make my Day Govender Faydherbe from an inform J/t combo should prove another good each way bet.

Happy Easter!

Sean

Good start for the punters impressive win ()

That horse can trot a bit!!