Jack Milner: It took quite a while for Time Spirit to make his racecourse debut, but it appears the long wait has been worthwhile.
The son of What A Winter only arrived on the scene as a late three-year-old on 10 June over 1600m on the Vaal Classic track and did not really find much betting support.
The Ashley Fortune-trained gelding opened at 7-1 and although not drifting off the bookmakers’ boards, did go out slightly to start at 17-2. S’manga Khumalo had him at the back of the field for most of the journey, but he did make up some ground late to finish third, although still beaten 4.75 lengths by Willow’s Wish.
However, a fortnight later it was an entirely different story. Racing again on the Vaal Classic course, but this time over 1800m, the betting support for Time Spirit did not stop, and when the runners were released from the pens, he was quoted at 5-10.
The money was on the mark and again with Khumalo in the irons, Time Spirit was out of the stalls in a flash and ran away from the opposition to beat Nussply by 4.25 lengths.
While acknowledging the runner-up will not be going to Hollywood, there was a lot to like about that emphatic victory and Time Spirit can score a quick double when he lines up in Race 5 at Turffontein on Saturday, a MR 75 Handicap over 1800m on the Inside track.
It is worth noting Khumalo is back on board, and he currently is in devastating form.
The main threat is likely to come from one of the more experienced runners in Twin Turbo. Trained by Fabian Habib, this three-year-old gelding has raced 10 times for two wins and three places. He does have the advantage of having won at the track but sadly for the son of Flower Alley, he will have to jump from No 12 draw while Time Spirit is drawn in pole position.
Denis Schwarz rode Twin Turbo to victory last time and Habib has engaged him to take the ride again on this occasion.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 7 Little Prince, 8 Master Of Law, 9 Power Surge, 1 Boston Light Race 2: 3 Royal Mazarin, 1 Understated, 2 Manterio, 7 Wishonaire Race 3: 4 White Fang, 3 Brand New Cadillac, 1 Lord Melbourne, 6 She’s A Cracker Race 4: 6 Wedding Bliss, 2 Illuminate, 4 Mauby, 3 The Sash Race 5: 3 Time Spirit, 6 Twin Turbo, 5 Duke Of Sussex, 9 Blue Moon City Race 6: 2 Roha, 1 Ideal Angel, 3 Bella Rosa, 5 Big City Girl Race 7: 6 Lee Express, 3 Castle Durrow, 2 Querari Ferrari, 8 Phoenix Race 8: 9 Super Agra, 6 Gilboa, 7 Putins Promise, 2 Bella Black Race 9: 6 Kapama, 2 Dragon Queen, 3 Sheltering Sky, 1 Fromheretoeternity