The big question ahead of Race 4, the World Pools Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m on Met Day, is how well the Justin Snaith trained Warrior will bounce back after his poor showing in the Grade 1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.
This Futura gelding was slow out the blocks, had to settle near the back of the pack, and found himself ten lengths off the pace when they hit the first turn. From there it was mission impossible, and he was eventually the last to cross the line.
To get Warrior back to winning ways - both physically and mentally – in just 21 days, will be a tough task.
The Vaughan Marshall trained Silver Operator, on the other hand, should go into the race brimming with confidence.
He scored his fourth win over the course and distance last time out and has drawn ideally. Although the field is relatively small, a good draw is a bonus as the 1400m marker is right at the start of the turn on the Kenilworth Summer Course.
The only concern is that Silver Operator has never won two consecutive races, but he does look to get it right here.
He beat Russian Rock last time out with a 1.5kg advantage and will have to do it again at level weights.Silver Operator
Russian Rock, however, has also faltered in the meantime, but he did have excuses and has a proven record when it comes to putting a bad run behind him. Russian Rock, trained by Dean Kannemeyer, are the best weighted here and the pair could be fighting lout the finish again.
The surprise package could be Warrior’s stable companion Speed Machine. Snaith has engaged leading apprentice Rachel Venniker for the ride and her 2.5kg claim could give Speed Machine a competitive advantage. He does boast a victory over course and distance.
Venniker tops the apprentice log with 36 wins this season to date, more than double that of second-placed Kyle Strydom (15 wins).
Marshall’s other entry, the four-year-old Look For Hounds, is another with claims. He is holding form and is 6kg better off than the previous time he challenged Russian Rock over this course and distance. He must be included in exotics.