Saifa is a form of karate and is at times translated as “rip and tear” and “pound and pulverise.”
Saifa is also the name of a four-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding who has arrived in WA recently from Victoria with a reputation as a pacer with above average ability.
Whether Saifa is about to pulverise his rivals in the $23,000 Sunrise On Seven Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night remains to be seen.
He will be making his first appearance for eleven weeks --- since he rated 1.55.2 in winning by a head from Mitzi Said over 1720m at Melton on June 7. Kate Gath settled him down in seventh position before starting a three-wide move 750m from home and taking the lead 500m later.
This was an up-tempo event with quarters of 27.8sec., 31sec., 28.9sec. and 28.3sec.
Saifa is prepared by astute Bunbury trainer Bob Mellsop and will be driven by Deni Roberts when he begins from the No. 2 barrier on the back line on Friday night. He is relatively inexperienced, having raced 19 times for six wins four seconds and two third placings.
“I have not sat behind Saifa yet,” said Roberts. “But he is well thought of, with Jack Callaghan saying he likes the horse who went “alright” when he drove him in New South Wales.”
Callaghan drove Saifa five times for four wins in modest company at Newcastle as a three-year-old last year. Saifa also gave a sample of his ability when he finished fourth behind Major Hot in the group 1 Queensland Derby at Albion Park.
Saifa meets handy opposition on Friday night, including Major Jay, a tough stayer who has worked hard before winning at Bunbury and Gloucester Park at his latest runs, Cams Boulder, who is improving with every recent outing, Chilli Punter, Del Bocavista Bay and Winegum.
Saia is one of many sound each-way prospects for Roberts on the ten-event program, and they include Lusaka (August Cup), Lady Camel, Goodtime Louis, Vegas Strip and Thenu Came Along.
Roberts is looking for a strong effort from Lady Camel, who will start from the No. 4 barrier in the $25,000 7News Pace over 2130m.
Lady Camel, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, notched her fifth win from 22 starts when she began from barrier three and set the pace before winning from Bettor Arcade over 230m at Gloucester Park on Tuesday of last week.
“If she is able to find the front, she will be a good chance,” said Roberts. Lady Camel’s chief rivals appear to be Ekara Navajo (a smart all-the-way winner last Friday night), Nase Vira, Sweet Vivienne and Princess Katie.
By Ken Casellas