Smell the coffee with Mocha Blend

THE Shepherd as always given the ‘impression that his form belies his inherent ability and he can finally show that when he lines up in the Middle Stakes over 1600m on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

- ANDREW HARRISON

The Frank Robinson-trained MOCHA BLEND runs in Race 5 - the Live It. Love It. Own It. www.racecoast.co.za Middle Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

(Picture: Race Coast/Candiese Lenferna)

He tended to be a difficult customer at the gates at the start of his career but Peter Muscutt is the consummate professional and has guided The Shepherd to four wins in his 15 career starts and in the money on six other occasions.

After finishing second to Gladatorian, now a Grl winner, back in September last year, The Shepherd was off the course for a month shy of a year before making his comeback at the back end of July this year and finishing just over two lengths behind Rosh Kedesh.

He has since had two further starts where he was close up to the winners. He steps out on the poly and with some solid form to back his chances he could be the horse to beat.

Frank Robinson has been relatively quiet of late but saddles his smart mare Mocha Blend in this contest.

She is an imposing filly with plenty of class but she does return from a break after two smart Champions Season efforts in the Gr2 Woolavington 2000 and the Gr2 Gold Bracelet.

This is an obvious warm-up for a tilt at the lucrative Highveld spring season but talented horses do well over almost any distance and the poly holds no fears.

With the scratchings of Sign Of Fate and Officer In Command, her task has been made a little easier but she could still face stiff opposition from the Mike and Mathew de Kock’s Ingqwele who does duty in the absence of Officer In Command.