Article by Mark van Deventer
Bettors will need to pay careful attention at the first meeting back at Hollywoodbets Durbanville to see if a track bias is in play. Gone are the days of hedges around the tight circuit, but speed on the rail, or at least the ability to race handy and make an early inside move is still the best way to win races at the country course.
West Coast trainer, Andre Nel has a training track with a configuration that is just like Durbanville’s layout, so his horses tend to fare well there. He seems poised to capture Races 1 and 3 with Boogiefied (by boom American/Aussie shuttle stallion, Justify ex Love to Boogie) and Candy Town (by Querari out of Captain’s Flame, a fine race mare).
Both made good debuts, showing speed throughout in races where the form has been franked. Boogified’s conqueror, Meu Capitano followed up with a solid try behind Mojo Man in a key Juvenile contest, and De Janiero (four lengths in arrears of Candy Town in the race won by Winter Rainfall,) has romped since. They can use optimal stalk and pounce tactics from convenient draws to shed their Maiden tags.
Race 5 looks open yet the improving, Gimmethelimelight appeals after getting within half a length of Callmegetrix three weeks ago. The Justin Snaith trained daughter of top sire, Gimmethegreenlight is drawn awkwardly 8/11, but has the requisite speed and a skilful jock in Grant van Niekerk to get over and contend.
[Callmegetrix wins well in her last start, image Chase Liebenberg]
Her main rivals include another Nel entry, older filly Go Like Flo who is regularly placed, and Charlene who made dramatic improvement at her second start for Brett Crawford. Windrunner, from draw 2 is another in with a shake if fit enough after a ten-week gap between races.
Crawford also has claims with in Race 6. A one-time winner from 12 starts, she hinted at decent potential earlier in her career when pitched high and has now come down to a workable mark of 70.
Primed 3rd run after a rest and racing handy from a low draw at her favourite course sets up just right for the Silvano filly, dropping to a low-grade Class 5 over 1400m.
