Jack Milner: Kwite A Trip has been a different horse after having been gelded and looks primed to notch up his fifth win from 12 starts when he lines up in Race 5 on Thursday.
The Paul Peter-trained runner will contest a MR 96 Handicap over 1000m, in which two of his seven rivals come out of the same stable.
The four-year-old son of Trippi was gelded in February and since then he has raced six times for three wins, two seconds and a third, which came in his first race back from the break.
The two defeats were at the hands of top horses – Al Sakeet and Visiway respectively.
What is impressive is that winners have come out of every one of those six form lines.
Kwite A Trip, though, has been creeping up the weights as his merit rating increases, and on this occasion, will be giving 2kg and more to his opposition.
The biggest threat could come from stable companion South East, who is now 6kg better off for a 3.50-length beating last time. That was South East’s first run back following a three-month rest so improvement should be expected.
The main reason for the weight advantage is that apprentice Philasande Mxoli is allowed to claim his 2.5kg allowance this time. The youngster is riding well and could trouble his more fancied stablemate.
However, Warren Kennedy, who was riding Kwite A Trip for the first time, appeared to have quite a bit in hand so might not be troubled by the weight turnaround.
Singfonico, who was a one-length runner-up to Peter’s charge, is 1.5kg better off so he should go closer this time.
Nevertheless, one has the feeling there could be a nice Graded sprint lying in wait for Kite A Trip, so he is expected to put a race of this nature to bed.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 3 Time Request, 1 Pick A Lily, 6 Scottadito, 4 Namibsroos