David Mollett
10 July 2009
Johannesburg — WHEN punters first saw a horse called Goat on the race card, the majority of them must have thought it was a joke.
But the filly has belied her strange name by winning four races and looks set for another success at Clairwood on Sunday.
Trainer Paul Lafferty is one of the most humorous guys in the sport so it is appropriate that the three-year-old is a member of his Summerveld stable.
Lafferty, who bought 10 yearlings at last week's Sibaya sale in Durban, booked Piere Strydom for the ride on Goat in the recent Gold Circle Oaks, and the top Gauteng rider was at his best, winning the 2400m event by half a length.
Strydom is not riding in Sunday's meeting so Lafferty has secured the services of Anthony Delpech for the KwaZulu-Natal Breeders race. Delpech finished second on Zirconeum in last weekend's Durban July.
The worry for both Lafferty and Delpech is that Goat is now racing over a far shorter trip. The distance of 1600m is ideal for Littleredcorvette and Dance At Daylight although both geldings will have to overcome wide draws.
Littleredcorvette was out of his depth when starting at 100-1 in the Gold Challenge won by Pocket Power, but the four-year-old rates a serious chance back in this less exalted company.
Dance At Daylight is enjoying a successful season for the powerful Denis Drier stable. His rider, Raymond Danielson, has won twice this term on the son of Rambo Dancer.
Apprentice Karis Teetan looks like a youngster with a bright future and shouldn't be far away on the well-drawn Forlisa. Trainer Gavin van Zyl's colt should be included in all exotic bets.
Turffontein hosts a nine-race programme tomorrow and Strike Craft could carry Bridget Oppenheimer's colours to victory in the seventh race. The three-year-old was probably in need of the run when unplaced at Scottsville in May, but this full sister to Patrol Boat has plenty of scope for improvement.
The pick of Strike Craft's opponents could be top-weight, Paradiso, representing Geoff Woodruff's yard. This choicely- bred daughter of Western Winter has won three of her nine starts and may start favourite.
Jockey Deon Sampson, on Paradiso, will also be hoping to win the fourth race on Woodruff's three- year-old, Big Black. The worry here is that the Aussie import is very temperamental so only a small wager is advised.
A runner that might again attract support is Weiho Marwing's Fort Wood gelding, Fort Jerez. The three-year-old started favourite for his debut at the Vaal in May and could feature here from a favourable draw.
Trainer Alec Laird will be delighted with All Afire's win in the Golden Slipper at Greyville on July day, and another of his juveniles, Hold The Gold, should go close in the opening event.
A R160000 son of Captain Al, Hold The Gold ran second over this course and distance last month and is narrowly preferred to Ormond Ferraris' runner, Oil Tycoon.
Extra Cover, a son of 2003 July hero Dynasty, rates an each-way chance after a promising debut.
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