BY MYRAH MALINA
An even six runners from two stables are set to have a go in the St. Leger, the fifth and final classic race this season in a nine-race card meet at Ngong Race course tomorrow.
This is the longest run classic race at 2,800m for the 3-year-olds on Kenyan racing calendar and always the last, mostly attracting male horses. This term’s race has attracted a small field of big male names to clash and as mighty as they have proved to be, makes it another quality race and more so open with a strong campaign from trainers Joe Karari and Patsy Sercombe.
Saddling Derby winner, Stake Ur Claim Sercombe has complete trust in him after a consecutive masterful ride from her daughter Lesley when he proved he can stay.
He comes strong from behind and makes his way home under no pressure and this distance creates another opportunity to live up to his name. Stable-mate The Nut Cracker, who ran in the Derby as a favourite only to lose out of the script, still has to prove his point home. It is actually Mozart that might surprise us from this distance.
Despite his disappointments, Grand Slam still makes an appearance in this term’s race as a strong contender who is not willing to give up easily under his couple James Muhindi. His presence is to bring a moment of glory to Karari if he maintains the killing speed at the final metres home.
He has the gears for this race and if ridden well, nothing will deny him the Leger. This could be a great chance for Slam Just like stable mate Pasha Sultan-SAF, who finished second in the Derby, only to get his moves right in the Léger in 2012.
Bravery has in his previous runs shown the willingness to give more and distance is not in question here. A third place in the Derby added value to his career even though he is yet to reveal his strong character.
Karari’s third faithful is Shakara Man-SAF, an al- round runner having had 16 runs and registered three wins. This meet has three cups on offer for the afternoon and three handicap races besides two maidens.
Courtesy of the-star.co.ke