Turffontein 12 Sept: Runner comments

Lucky Fish ambassadors Mike and Mathew de Kock are expecting a successful afternoon’s racing on the inside track at Turffontein, Saturday.

Close Encounter is up first in Race 1 over 1450m, a weak-looking Maiden Handicap in which he has a chance of earning a stake. Mat commented: “His work is pretty good, promising a nice run in a Maiden company. If he had a better draw, he would’ve had an eachway shout, but his wide gate makes it tricky. He may have to be ridden from behind so he can run on and give us an indication of where we stand with him. Being out of a Galileo mare, we anticipate he’ll be best over further. Include in Quartets.”

Lightly campaigned Top Floor will face the starter in Race 3 over 1600m, and he’s up against a few up-and-coming rivals. “Top Floor made a promising forward move in the straight when he needed the run last time, before getting tired. That brought him on, he has tightened up and lost weight on the scale. If this race doesn’t come too soon, he should be fitter and competitive.”

Captain West has been knocking at the door and gets his best chance yet to win for the yard in Race 4 over 1450m. Mat said: “He is a bit of an enigma, but we ran him over too far last time and that can be excused. In a Conditions Plate now, with blinkers on, he should be included in all bets. Winning chance.”

Everyone has positive sentiments about Gimme A Fireball, who gets a good test against stronger after his easy Maiden win, in Race 5 over 1200m. “He shows lots of promise, a nice type of horse. He has travelled from Durban, steps up in class and goes around the bend for the first time, so there are hurdles. But we have confidence in his ability and a big run is expected.”

Reckless Abandon (Race 6, 1200m), comes into a Novice Handicap following his good Maiden win and Mat said: “He seems to have improved at home and has a chance. But things did go his way from an inside draw when he won his debut and it will be trickier here from wider.”

Trombolines has a handy gate for his run in Race 7 over 1200m, and he’ll be fitted with blinkers. Mat assessed: “He comes back to a sprint and we’re interested to see how he goes, because his work during the week was quite encouraging. We gave him a good, sharp gallop over 600m and he sprinted up really well. He could be competitive here if he gets the right run. If not, we’ll revert back to 1400m because Sean Veale believes 1600m is too far for him. He warrants inclusion in the exotics on the strength of what we’re seeing at home.”