JACK MILNER from RXP
CHOISIR passed up on a run in the SA Classic at Turffontein but can give Geoff Woodruff and Mark Khan some consolation for their disappointments on Saturday when he contests the Listed Riverside Handicap over 1450m on the Vaal sand on Tuesday.
The Argentine-bred colt is no stranger to the sand, having made his debut over 1200m at the track. He went off at 12-1 and finished second to Mustrasel. Three weeks later he was sent out a 1-5 favourite to open his account in a 1200m event on the Turffontein inside track. He won, beating Pericles by 1.25 lengths, but it was a workmanlike victory.
As a result he drifted to 28-10 in a MR 67 Handicap over 1400m on the Vaal turf but won easily, beating Gate Baron by 2.25 lengths. That run indicated Choisir is better than first thought and he followed that effort with a 2.25-length fourth to Fenerbahce and Captain’s Table in the Listed Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein.
He was then desperately unlucky when finding all the trouble in the world in a Progress Plate over 1450m at Turffontein and did well to finish a 1.75-length fifth to Horatio. He went on to contest the Gauteng Guineas where he faded late to sixth, just 3.50 lengths behind Oracy.
This race should be right up his alley and with just 53.5kg to carry and No 1 draw, Choisir looks a hard horse to beat.
Erico Verdonese finally saw Caribbean Coast make his way into the No 1 box on Saturday and Ryan’s A Lion could show up well in this event. The four-year-old gelding proved no match for Galahad last time out, finishing a 10-length second, but he should finish in the money. He carries just 52kg, is well drawn at No 5 and will be ridden by Donovan Habib.
Alimony was the sand story of 2008. The six-year-old son of Alami transformed from a turf ugly duckling into a sand swan when winning four successive races on the surface, including the Grade 2 Emerald Cup. Unfortunately those four victories saw his merit rating rocket 32 points (16kg) and as a result, the will have to concede 6.5kg to Choisir.
He also suffered his first defeat on the surface when a six-length fifth behind Fearless Gun last time out and it will be interesting to see if Piere Strydom can make a difference to the son of Alami in this race.
Execute flew late to snare Beat Patrol over 1000m recently but will find the going a lot tougher over this additional 450m, although he has won over 1200m on the turf. Apprentice Derreck David will have the added impediment of having to start from barrier No 12, not an easy task at this track.
Fearless Gun beat Alimony last time out and will feature if fully fit but ``Lucky’’ Houdalakis’ yard has lost a little of its sparkle and that is a concern
Mike de Kock saddles Scrutinize who has performed well on this track but has not run since trailing in 17.25 lengths behind Alimony in last year’s Emerald Cup.
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