Merhee (AUS) has really come into his own over the last few months and the Mike de Kock-trained runner produced an irresistible late burst to win the Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m at Greyville on Friday night. Stablemate Welwitschia (GB) had to settle for second ahead of Copper Parade (SAF) and Captain's Secret (SAF).
Confidently handled by Sean Veale, Merhee sat some way back in the field as Cap Alright took up his customary role at the head of affairs. Copper Parade dashed across from a very wide draw to settle in second, with The West Is Wide next best, ahead of Blaze Of Fire, Coffee Sheik and Captain's Secret. Welwitschia sat in midfield on the rails.
Cap Alright was soon under pressure in the straight and was swamped as the race dissolved into something of a cavalry charge. There were several runners spread across the track a furlong out with Welwitschia, who had gone for her run down the inside, looking well set to out-kick the rest. Merhee, though, had found the necessary gap and rocketed through, his acceleration proving too much for the rest as he drew off to win by just over a length.
Not for the first time this season, the betting for a big race left one scratching ones head. Welwitschia was entitled to go off favourite as she ticked all the boxes, but it was amazing to see Merhee drift out to 6/1. The 4-year-old had won the Senor Santa Handicap before going on to run a very creditable third in the Golden Horse Sprint. He was well-drawn and handily-weighted to boot, so those who got on at those odds will be rubbing their hands with glee.
Welwitschia ran her usual honest race but just came up against a younger rival who is firmly on the up. She was not disgraced by any means.
Copper Parade ran a blinder, having had to tack across from a dreadful draw. He was well handled by Karis Teetan and showed that, despite some rather ordinary recent performances in Port Elizabeth, he can still raise his game. He certainly seems to come alive in the winter - this is the fourth consecutive season that he has managed to at least place in a graded event during this part of the year in KwaZulu-Natal.
Captain's Secret turned in a much-improved effort and stayed on well after always being in touch. He's been rather inconsistent of late but showed that he can still perform at this level when in the mood.
4 b c Elusive Quality (USA) - Dizzy De Lago (AUS) by Encosta De Lago (AUS)
Owner: Al Adiyaat South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Bred by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum
Winning trainer: Mike de Kock
Race 7 - R350K - POST MERCHANTS (Grade 2)
A race for all Horses - 1200m |
| No |
Horse |
Jockey |
Al/Bl |
Kg |
Dr |
Fin |
Dist |
Time |
OP |
SP |
| 10 |
MERHEE (AUS) |
Sean Veale |
A |
54.0 |
7 |
1 |
0.00 |
69.83 |
4/1 |
6/1 |
| 8 |
WELWITSCHIA (GB) |
Anthony Delpech |
A |
55.5 |
1 |
2 |
1.25 |
70.05 |
28/10 |
19/10 |
| 6 |
COPPER PARADE |
Karis Teetan |
A B |
56.0 |
16 |
3 |
1.50 |
70.10 |
18/1 |
49/1 |
| 2 |
CAPTAIN'S SECRET |
Bernard Fayd'Herbe |
A |
58.0 |
5 |
4 |
1.75 |
70.14 |
6/1 |
7/1 |
| 13 |
SHOWMETHEWAY |
Keagan De Melo *0.0 |
A B |
54.0 |
15 |
5 |
2.50 |
70.28 |
25/2 |
36/1 |
| 9 |
THE WEST IS WIDE |
M J Byleveld |
A |
54.0 |
8 |
6 |
2.75 |
70.32 |
10/1 |
9/1 |
| 14 |
TIPO TINTO (AUS) |
Sean Cormack |
A B |
54.0 |
9 |
7 |
2.80 |
70.33 |
9/1 |
25/2 |
| 15 |
GOGOTINE |
Grant Van Niekerk |
A |
52.0 |
3 |
8 |
2.90 |
70.35 |
14/1 |
18/1 |
| 5 |
WILD TYPE |
Brandon Lerena |
A |
58.0 |
6 |
9 |
3.05 |
70.38 |
6/1 |
8/1 |
| 7 |
COFFEE SHEIK |
M J Odendaal |
A B |
56.0 |
13 |
10 |
3.55 |
70.47 |
14/1 |
22/1 |
| 4 |
BLAZE OF FIRE |
Ian Sturgeon |
A |
58.0 |
10 |
11 |
5.30 |
70.78 |
18/1 |
29/1 |
| 12 |
SHADES OF INDIGO |
Juan Paul V'D Merwe |
A B |
54.0 |
17 |
12 |
5.40 |
70.80 |
29/1 |
66/1 |
| 16 |
PIANO MAN |
Nooresh Juglall *0.0 |
A |
52.0 |
4 |
13 |
5.65 |
70.85 |
10/1 |
7/1 |
| 11 |
MIKE'S CHOICE |
Alec Forbes |
A B |
54.0 |
14 |
14 |
6.65 |
71.03 |
29/1 |
36/1 |
| 1 |
CAP ALRIGHT |
Kevin Shea |
A |
60.0 |
11 |
15 |
11.40 |
71.91 |
6/1 |
14/1 |
| 3 |
SNOWDON |
Scratched |
| 17 |
MR WHATEVER |
Scratched |
|
