– Written by Mark van Deventer
Based on the official merit ratings, 15/10 fave Golden Hostess (OMR 116) may have a class edge over six rivals in the G3 1400m Diana Stakes run @ WFA – Race 7 at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, off at 15h50.
It helps that she goes well fresh, can quicken up smartly and is adept over extended sprints, though she will be having her first start at the course and her come- from- off- the- pace running style is not ideal for Durbanville. She races for the same connections as Charles Dickens, heavy 1/3 favourite for the Matchem – Bass Racing and Drakenstein Stud with Aldo Domeyer as the pilot on both.
Indeed, Candice Bass has a strong hand here. Gimmies Lassie (OMR 101) finished just ahead of Golden Hostess in last year’s Cape Fillies Championship over this trip with a flashy turn of foot and gets first-time blinkers. And well-drawn, Who Do You Love (OMR 99) was also highly tried at three where she proved herself not that far off the best. She too wears blinkers to sharpen her resolve.
Cala Muretta (OMR 101) is in the same ballpark on handicap ratings after taking out the Debutante Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Rating juveniles is fraught with imprecision though, and this race against elders will provide a better indication where the clearly talented Crawford/Rix trained, daughter of Gimmethegreenlight fits in. Richard Fourie is a confidence- enhancing jockey booking.
Another live threat is Happy Chance. She must be taken seriously on her WSB Fillies Guineas effort when defeated 3.5 lengths by Brett Crawford trained stable companion, Make it Snappy. The Dynasty filly mixes her form a bit but would be a menace on a going day. Wary bookmakers have priced her up as second favourite at 3/1.
Hierkommiebokkie (looks well behind the best on exposed form yet could have an influential pace-making role to play) and Silverlinks (sports solid form over further) are the other entries.
