TREVOR REID: RETURNING jockey Andrew Fortune is carded to ride Fabiani in Race 4, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m at Kenilworth, and this six year-old Model Man gelding could prove too good for his opposition.
Fabiani is well weighted, although it remains to be seen whether Fortune will get down to the 61kg required if Fabiani is to carry his carded weight, but if the six-year-old gelding repeats his last win, when he was eased shortly before the line by jockey Grant van Niekerk, then he will give Fortune a dream start to his comeback bid.
Glen Kotzen’s runner has recorded four of his six wins to date over this course and distance and seems back to his best.
Jet Explorer, the mount of Richard Fourie, looked like he could be realising his promise when winning over the Durbanville 1600m last time out but a rise in the ratings of six points will make things a lot tougher in the future.
He should be receiving 3.5kg more from Fabiani, but he still has scope for improvement in only his eighth career start and he will run well.
Forest Of Dean was beaten 2.50 lengths by Fabiani when they last met and with no change to the weights, he should not turn the tables.
He should, however, be in the shake-up. Forest Of Dean is versatile distance-wise and has won twice over this course and distance.
Fourie was aboard Why Worry in the gelding’s last three starts but the rider has abandoned Justin Snaith’s charge to ride stablemate Jet Explorer.
Why Worry’s rider Gareth Wright was aboard the Casey Tibbs gelding when he finished a good third behind Laurie’s Gold in April. A drop in trip from the 2400m of the Winter Derby to 1600m should also suit him and Why Worry will be running on when others have cried enough.
Free-striding Grafton Street was disappointing last time out but had previously finished only a neck behind Fabiani so if he is in the right mood, he will give them something to catch going into the closing stages.
Visiting jockey Sherman Brown climbs aboard Badger Lake but this Badger’s Drift gelding may need one more run and a bit further to be seen to his best advantage. He is, however, capable of running on into a place.
A 62-day break may have freshened up Mike Bass-trained Shimmering Flame. This gelding finished 0.75 lengths ahead of Fabiani when they last met so warrants utmost respect.
