Maiwand could improve after being gelded

DURBAN -- Maiwand, a five-year-old son of Rakeen has disappointed his backers time and time again, leaving trainer Ricky Maingard with little option but to geld him.

The R70000 yearling purchase has had one outing since the operation where he finished third behind Jet Master who was a facile winner.

That run is sure to have brought Maiwand on considerably and it will be Robbie Hill's task to get the best out of him.

The pair have drawn well for the A division handicap which will be run over 1400m at Scottsville, but they are going to have to work hard to secure the honours.

Royal Jest is another who was recently gelded in the hopes of restoring his form.

The chestnut has had three runs and has not performed as expected, and this will be his chance to atone.

The gelding's best form has been over sprint distances but trainer Vaughan Marshall has always believed his charge will stay.

Racing over 1 600m last time out Royal Jest jumped inwards at the start.

He then tired in the closing stages and it appeared he did not to see out the trip.

This means that there will be a lot resting on how he fares here, especially with regard to his future races.

Nino's Mistral has been knocking at the door since he was equipped with blinkers and it would come as no surprise to see him stake his claim in the number one box.

Gavin van Zyl is his regular rider and if Nino's Mistral can reproduce the run which saw him finish fourth to Super Magic in the Mercury Sprint, where he was beaten less than a length, then he will go very close indeed in this company.

The dark horse in the race is Royal Rhumba who with just 47,5kgs on his back, courtesy of a claiming apprentice rider, could steal the limelight.

The gelding may still be in need of this run but Herman Brown has the blinkers on him once again and he should be included in all exotic bets.

July Day has the class and seldom finishes out of the money and with a skillful ride from Andrew Fortune, the seven-year-old is more than capable of showing his younger counterparts a clean pair of heels.

The two raiders, Royal Victor and Mission Statement must also come into the equation which will ensure that this race winds up being a duel to the wire.

In a tight call Maiwand is taken to win from Royal Jest, Nino's Mistral and Royal Rhumba

SELECTIONS

FIRST RACE
12 March To Mars
10 Keen Response
5 Draw The Dagger

SECOND RACE
1 Betonthebadger
7 Rio Rush
5 London To Brighton

THIRD RACE
10 Six A Penny
1 Above The Average
12 The Snow Dancer

FOURTH RACE
7 Another Guest
1 Daemon
8 Awesome Aus

FIFTH RACE
7 Honey Cake
2 Troubled Nation
5 Real Gentleman

SIXTH RACE
5 Maiwand
2 Royal Jest
4 Nino's Mistral

SEVENTH RACE
2 Danzenita
4 Billy Bushwhacker
7 Royal Frigate

EIGHTH RACE
9 Mythical Play
4 Thatch Attack
8 Ride East

NINTH RACE
9 October Morn
10 Paris Silk
7 Invariable