From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

This is a great time of the year to be a horseplayer. There is high quality action right around the globe from the Autumn Carnivals in Oz, to the start of the Classic’s in Britain, Champion’s Day this Sunday in Hong Kong, and the “Run to the Roses” for next week’s Kentucky Derby in America.

The SA menu is also appetizing. Fascinating cards at Turffontein’s Championship Finale with multiple Grade 2 races and Scottsville’s program headlined by G3 juvenile events (Strelitzia/ Godolphin Barb) and the Poinsettia Stakes (G3) cater for some of the country’s best horses across different age groups over a variety of distances.

Truth is an upwardly mobile sprinter, and he could be the solution to the Senor Santa Stakes (G2) – off time 14h55 on Saturday in Joburg.

Candice Dawson’s speedball won his first two starts by steeplechase margins before losing his way somewhat and failing to win again in 2024.

However, he has come back strongly running increasing speed figures of 99 in December; 101 in January and then a fine106 in February. That last effort bodes well for Saturday’s sprint showdown. He faces some accomplished rivals such as deep closer, Melech (s/s 107,) Pistol Pete (s/s 104) and Chyavana (s/s 104) but may show sufficient improvement off a short 61 day freshening to complete a hat-trick under Muzi Yeni.

In recent years, Candice Bass Robinson has done well prepping her horses in Cape Town, then sending them up to KZN for specially targeted races.

Her charges Symphony in White (s/s 101 +) and Roccapina (s/s 103) are of interest in the Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes over 1200m at Scottsville on Sunday.

Symphony in White has course form from last year, just missing in the G1 Allan Robertson won by outstanding 2YO, Quid Pro Quo. She has trained on, witness a fluent victory in February over Kaiboy and now comes out fresh (which suits her) to take on a strong field.

Rivals include Gimmie’s Countess who finished near to Symphony in White in last year’s juvenile feature, despite a tough trip and Asiye Phambili – an eight- time winning, What a Winter mare who beat Roccapina at her penultimate start.

Roccapina was flying late in that Sceptre Stakes, doing well to get as close to Asiye Phambili as she did.  Though by no means disgraced, things did not quite fall into place at her next two starts and she is due a change of fortune. The daughter of One World may prefer a bit further than this 1200m but has the class to contend and is officially clearly best weighted.

Respect is also due Francine (s/s 98) and Summer Lily (s/s 99). They will need to bump up their figures to threaten for the win yet probably won’t be far off and are must-uses on Trifecta and Quartet tickets.

The Poinsettia starts at 16h05 and is carded as Race 7.