Three Pinnacle Stakes races head up the card at Turffontein on Saturday 15 February 2020 and trainer Sean Tarry has a strong hand in all of them.

His biggest chance must lie in Race 5, which is for fillies and mares over 1600m, where he sends out Return Flight and In The Dance. They are the two best handicapped runners and look likely to fight it out.

Ironically, the only concern is probably the distance. While Return Flight has won twice over 1600m, these days she would probably prefer a bit further. In The Dance, on the other hand, has yet to win over 1600m although she has placed over the distance, including a 1.75-length second behind Ronnie’s Candy in the Grade 2 Ipi Tombe Stakes on the Standside track.

This will be her first run on the Inside track and based on the manner in which she runs, she could be well-suited to the shorter run-in and looks the pick of the two.

Luke Ferraris rides this half-sister to Capetown Noir while Warren Kennedy is aboard Return Flight.

Tarry has three runners in Race 6 over 1450m where Tierra Del Fuego and Warrior’s Rest could provide punters with a decent Swinger. The former has been in exceptional form, having won four races in a row before going down by 1.10 lengths to D’ Arrivee.

Warrior’s Rest has been out for a short break and is another reliable place-getter. Raymond Danielson takes the ride on Tierra Del Fuego while Ferraris is aboard Warrior’s Rest.

Matador Man is the third runner from the Tarry stable, but much will depend on how much ground he concedes at the start, as he is a notoriously slow starter.

Based on their performances in the Gauteng Summer Cup in November, Tarry’s two runners should face a tough battle from Geoff Woodruff-trained Sunshine Silk in Race 4.

Tarry saddles Al Mutawakel and Tilbury Fort and there was a lot to like about the last race of the 2018 Summer Cup winner. Running in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m at the Vaal, he stayed on well to finish fifth of the seven runners, beaten just 3.75 lengths by stable companion Tierra Del Fuego.

His penultimate run was in the 2019 Summer Cup where he was beaten just five lengths by Zillzaal. Four lengths in front of him was Al Mutawakel who is now 3kg worse off which brings them closer together.

However, they were split by Sunshine Silk who finished one length ahead of Tilbury Fort. She is now 9.5kg better off with Al Mutawakel, 6.5kg with Tilbury Fort and 7kg with Divine Odyssey who she beat by 1.25 lengths in the Summer Cup.

On form she should be a very hard horse to beat, especially as she has won over course and distance in a similar Pinnacle Stakes against the colts. Apprentice Nathan Klink takes the ride.

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