The performance of Pamushana’s Pride in the Grade 1 World Sports Betting SA Derby over 2450m at Turffontein on Saturday has placed a spotlight on those form lines in which he has been involved.
The Alec Laird-trained son of Louis The King came on well to finish second behind SA Triple Crown winner Malmoos, in a race in which he was not well weighted.
Of course, he never troubled Malmoos who won in a canter by 5.25 lengths, but he had Second Base, Shah Akbar, Bingwa and Flying Carpet behind him, all of whom were weighted to beat him easily.
Pamushana’s Pride has always been a gutsy horse who just gets up to win his races and he did look better than his 91 merit rating suggested. Now, his rating has been upped to 116.
In Race 5 at the Vaal on Thursday, a MR 80 Handicap over 2400m, we find two three-year-olds who have run close behind Laird’s charge, and they will put the SA Derby form to the test.
Sean Tarry saddles Ushuaia, who ran a 0.20-length third behind Pamushana’s Pride in the Listed Derby Trial over 2000m at Turffontein, while Mike de Kock sends out Bold Resolve who was 1.80 lengths further back in sixth spot.
The latter is now 1.5kg better off and that will put the pair very close together.
The question is whether they will be suited by the extra 400m as they attempt this trip for the first time.
One feels that Ushuaia should enjoy this distance. He is by a SA Derby winner in Pomodoro and he did produce the fastest 400m to finish in the Derby Trial. Both Tarry and jockey Lyle Hewitson are in top form and this colt looks the runner to beat.
Bold Resolve did not have the best of fortunes in the Derby Trial, as he lost ground at the start and then was carried in at the 200m mark by Ushuaia who had to move in to avoid running onto the heels of a tiring horse.
Craig Zackey takes the ride.
Of course, there are some experienced older horses to be considered, in particular Fred, who also tries this distance for the first time, but is currently in excellent form.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 7 Mitch Got His Wish, 2 Retallick, 1 Fisher King, 8 Sea Of Galilee
Race 2: 2 Marigold Hotel, 1 Bella Chica, 3 On Cue, 6 Kwazzi’s Lady
Race 3: 3 Bedouin Bride, 1 Amberglo Star, 9 Undertheradar, 8 Party Song