Thanks John has been beaten when sent off as favourite in no less than four of his five runs since winning his maiden for which he also topped the boards.
It is amply evident that he shows loads of potential in home gallops but he does seem to have a problem in putting it together on race day.
He won at the second time of asking and won most impressively to beat Forever Young by 5.25 lengths over 1800m at Kenilworth.
He was heavily backed to follow up over the same course and distance in his next start but failed to maintain his gallop after leading with 400m to go and finished fifth, 1.8 lengths off the winner Catchadrift. He was rested after that race and made his re-appearance at Clairwood on 27 May where he ran in a MR 72 Handicap over 1800m and after being slow away, disappointed by finishing eighth 5.35 lengths behind Aslan.
He tackled an extra 100m again at Clairwood, in his next start and was allowed to start at the generous odds of 5-1. He produced a strong finish that day and failed by a short head.
Backed to favourite again for his next race he did not appear to enjoy the right-hand bend at Greyville but managed to get to within four lengths of Bonito in a slow run race which does not suit his style of racing.
Trying 2000m back at Clairwood last time, he moved up dangerously going into the final 300m but was unable to extract any extra late although he stayed on for a good second, two lengths behind What’s Going On.
Back over 1800m and with Anton Marcus (pictured above) in the saddle this time he looks the one to beat in Race 7, a MR 72 Handicap.
Divided Highway has some decent form and looks the biggest threat while Brutus Maximus and Barines Glory also have decent credentials. There are a few others with chances too.
Race 8 should go to Begeera who has shown tenacity in fighting hard for his last two wins over 1400m. He does cover an extra 400m here but both his pedigree and style of racing indicate that the longer trip will be to his liking.
Chic Happens in Race 1 and Ambiciosa in Race 5 also look as if they should win.
