TREVOR REID: NEARLY a year ago Roses For Lizzy was contesting the Grade 1 South African Fillies Sprint at Scottsville, a race that was won by the great Val De Ra. She did not stride out that day and finished 15.10 lengths behind.
Roses For Lizzy is now on a comeback mission and will be seen in action on Monday afternoon at Flamingo Park in Race 4 over 1200m.
The drop-off in her form has seen her merit rating plummet from a high of 98 to 90. The conditions of this race make Roses For Lizzy and stable companion Pisces Star, from the Jaap Visser yard, the horses to beat off their current merit ratings.
Roses for Lizzy had her first attempt on the Flamingo Park sand on the 7 May and she looked in need of the run, tiring badly in the last 100m. She is clearly capable of much better and, with the capable Fanie Chambers aboard, could win this.
Royal Duke will be jumping from stall gate No 10, which is not in his favour over this track and trip, but jockey Richard Fourie could try to negate the disadvantage by adopting start-to-finish tactics.
Royal Duke had Roses For Lizzy 4.75 lengths behind him in his latest and, with only a 0.5kg difference in weights, it would normally be expected that Royal Duke would comfortably hold her off. But I am expecting a lot of improvement from Roses For Lizzy.
Pisces Star is a full 5.5kg better off with Royal Duke for a 2.25-length beating so is expected to be right there at the finish.
Tripartite is a bit unpredictable but is also in with a shout.
