From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

Some punters make it pay by compiling Horses to Follow lists and then only backing those that make it onto their “own team” according to set criteria.

Maybe the horse has been “missed” by the official handicapper compared to their own private ratings; ran a snappy sectional; earned a surprisingly big speed figure for a particular class of race or did something unusual/exceptional marking him as a potentially valuable Horse Watch candidate in future. The criteria are many and varied.

However, just because a horse is entered on your Watch list does not compel you to back it reflexively the next time it runs. Some discretion is required. If the opposition it encounters looks too strong, or the odds are too skinny or the circumstances of the contest are deemed unsuitable, it pays to sit on your hands and wait for a better opportunity.

In that spirit, below are four eye-catchers from Saturday’s meeting at the Cape.

Clark Griswold (s/s 82 ++,) got close in a Maiden as a longshot. This represents nice improvement at his second start for Bass Racing, and the son of Horizon should be winning soon if stretched beyond sprints. He certainly won’t be starting at 40/1 next time, that’s for sure…

Tenpenny (s/s 97 +) was anchored in the early stages before being the only horse to rush home in under 48 seconds in a 1600m Middle Stakes won by Pinot Grigio. Based on this energetic performance and seen in the context of previous runs, the lightly campaigned 4YO should enjoy a productive season with canny conditioner, Patrick Kruyer.

It's early days yet Future Free s/s 90 +) is shaping as a stayer with potential as is to be expected given that his sire, Futura is a stamina influence. Justin Snaith’s inmate is worth following as he matures and gets the required test of endurance. He had no difficulty in easily passing weaker rivals over 1800m at the weekend and looked like he would have been happy to do another lap.

Scottish Kiss (s/s 101) has won three of ten races and should have more wins in the tank if this most recent speed number is legit. He was full of running at Saturday’s Durbanville meeting when outdueling talented 3YO, Roland Garros (s/s 96) and the Gimmethegreenlight gelding can go in again over extended sprints at Class 3 level.

In news from Canada, former SA star, One Stripe was not a factor on North American debut in the Woodbine Mile won with a typically, terrific closing kick by Charlie Appleby’s international class, Notable Speech. The 4/10 odds on, victor was stiff last time when blocked at a crucial stage in the Jacques le Maroi in France – but on his day he can be truly brilliant, as one would expect of a 2000 Guineas and Gr 1 Sussex Stakes winner.

And in Japan, fans are mourning the persistently, lovable loser, Hara-urara, who died at the age of 29 in a retirement haven for horses – after getting beat at all 113 starts. She inspired battling citizens to keep going during the islands’’ economic doldrums between 1998 and 2004.

She did most of her racing at a near bankrupt track, Kochi, with spectators coming along in droves to watch her trail in haplessly in her trademark pink hood. Then, in an ironic marketing twist, these compassionate fans would buy lucky- charm related merchandise.

Even the Prime Minister at the time Koizumi was moved to say, “Isn’t it good that she gets support whether she wins or loses”.

I can think of many struggling SA trainers who wish they could find long suffering owners willing to keep feeding battlers with little prospect of a return. But the economics of racing ownership are too costly for such indulgences.