SYRINGA HANDICAP (Listed) - ESTIDRAAJ could give Mike De Kock and Johnny Geroudis a feature race double for the weekend

The trainer Mike De Kock and jockey combination could end the weekend with a double feature race win when they challenge for top spot in the Listed Syringa Handicap at Turffontein, 550km away from their Grade 1 success at Scottsville yesterday with, yet another Australian bred, ESTIDRAAJ.

ESTIDRAAJ did not show the last time she ran. That was in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic at Turffontein, on the stand side track, one month ago. She won her penultimate against weaker than today on this track when finishing well to do so. This will be the first time that Johnny Geroudis gets aboard this three year old filly. She has looked promising, but has disappointed when it really matters. This could be different this afternoon. She has won over the distance before. That was on the polytrack at Greyville when she won by just under ten lengths. She is by no means a "good thing" but needs to be respected in this field, especially if she is in the mood to race, which hasn't always been the case with her.

SEVENTH HEART has not disappointed in her four runs where she has won three of them and looks to be very progressive. The only race that she failed to win was her penultimate one when she weakened over this C & D. She definitely needs another chance today and has already been priced up as antepost favourite. The Sean Tarry/S'Manga Khumalo combination also scored in a Grade 1 race at Scottsville yesterday afternoon and for the owners, the Jooste's, it could be yet another feature race success. One would be hard-pressed to find the winner coming from elsewhere.

MISS RAMBO will be finding extra but has something to find to actually win this race. NOT SULKING has raced against stronger but has been disappointing against some really top class horses. SE AGABOR was way below par last time in a race against stronger. Could find a place at best. One should include the other Mike De Kock runner, MAYAAT, who has won this C & D, but needs to find more at the business end of her races.

1st - ESTIDRAAJ (6); 2nd - SEVENTH HEART (9); 3rd - MISS RAMBO (14); 4th - NOT SULKING (1); 5th - SE AGABOR (11)