Wide open race heads Manha Manha card
(1) SECRET INN (SAf) [7/2]
4 y/o chestnut filly by Greys Inn x Sea Of Secrets x
(12) 2 – 3 – 1 ($49 678)
The SAF Connection (14.2%-42.3%), M. Lingard (10.2%-34%)
This bargain bred filly has acquitted herself well in local bred allowances recently, on both surfaces, particularly in her last two starts following a four month rest. She should be ready to put up another bold effort here and a money finish looks likely.
(2) TWO TO DANCE (SAf) [3/5]
5 y/o light grey mare by Tiger Dance x Two Punch x Clever Trick
(25) 5 – 4 – 5 ($113 356)
The SAF Connection (14.2%-42.3%),
Two To Dance is the class of the race, as indicated by her deep in the red odds. She hasn’t run quite up to her best form in her last five starts, but could be too good here even so. The big question mark about her chances revolves around the distance. She hasn’t run this short a trip in almost two years and could very well find it a bit on the sharp side.
(3) BLACK WINTER (SAf) [6/1]
4 y/o brown filly by Western Winter x Black Minnaloushe x Afleet
(10) 2 – 3 – 0 ($46 200)
The SAF Connection (14.2%-42.3%), T. Loesch (26.4%-60%)
This filly is lightly raced and steadily improving. There is every reason to think that she’ll continue on an upward path this season. She has the services of the tracks star rider again, and can be expected to run well. If there are any doubts, it may be that she would actually prefer a touch shorter, and also that her last start may be a short term peak, having been her third start after a long break.
(4) TRESSPAS ROCK (SAf) [22/1]
4 y/o chestnut filly by King Of Kings (Ire) x A. P. Million x A. P. Dancer
(13) 1 – 0 – 0 ($20 759)
Deep Rock Stables (3.1%-14.0%), E. Bueche (8.1%-28%)
This filly has not been in good form lately and doesn’t look up to the task here. Her speed figures have been on the decline, so the short break she has had may help her, but I’m inclined to think that the stable hasn’t yet found her optimum racing conditions. Her only previous run on dirt was over a long 11 furlongs nearly a year ago. That was also her only route effort to date and it wasn’t a bad run, although she faded quickly over the last quarter. A couple of tries over shorter routes, on both surfaces, may be what she needs. In the meantime, I don’t see her troubling this field over this trip.
(5) QUESAP (SAf) [13/1
5y/o brown mare by Miesque’s Approval x
(43) 4 – 2 – 4 ($26 151)
Universal Racing Club Inc. (13.7%-43.0%), Ji. Smith (10.5%-34%)
Quesap hasn’t tried a sprint since she was a juvenile, more than two years ago. She did seem suited to more ground when she tried it, so an improved effort here would be a bit of a surprise but it is certainly worth a try. It has been quite some time since she ran anywhere near her best, so it seems unlikely that she would feature in the fight for winning honours here.
(6) EVENT OF HINTON (SAf) [9/2]
5 y/o brown mare by Hinton Wells x Event Of The Year x Seeking The Gold
(35) 5 – 9 – 11 ($107 295)
Rollsally Stables (15.5%-55.2%), G. Vincent (9.2%-31%)
Although she failed in a local bred claimer last time out, this mare is capable of a good effort at this level over this trip. She arrives here off a short break and could be a serious contender if she races fresh.
Summary:
It looks safe enough to eliminate the two longshots as win contenders, leaving us with four possible winners. While Two To Dance has the superior speed figures, there are doubts about the shorter distance. There is little to choose between Secret Inn, Black Winter, and Event Of Hinton with each capable of grabbing the prize. Secret Inn looks primed for a big effort but she has me on her back to contend with, while Loesch has chosen Black Winter of my trio.
It looks wide open to me, not the sure thing that the bookies have priced up. Let’s hope for an exciting four way photo finish.