Preview for Tuesday Racing at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, 10 October 2023
Race 9 at Hollywoodbets Durbanville over 1000m could resolve itself into a straight shootout between hat-trick seeking speedball, Candy Town and promising sprinter Winter Rainfall. Winter Rainfall came out on top when they met in May (Candy Town’s debut), but Andre Nel’s runner has developed since, dominating with flashy displays of raw speed and tactics that work a treat at this bendy, fast-running circuit.
Winter Rainfall caught the eye running on smartly last time from off the speed on a typical Durbanville day when on-pace runners were advantaged. She could give Candy Town a scare in the closing stages if not too far out of her ground from draw 9. Trainer Candice Bass Robinson has her string in sharp form, and it should be a tight tussle between these two with contrasting running styles.
Eric Sand’s horses have also been looking and running well, without quite getting the rewards – five seconds (including a few dipping out narrowly in photo finishes) and two winners in the past couple of weeks. Maybe Rainbow Colours can provide the stable with a boost by winning Race 4, an Open Maiden over 1400m.
The son of Gimmethegreenlight is not an obvious choice as draw 14 is a hindrance, and he mixes his form, with a few dreary recent efforts hardly inspiring confidence. But this is a suspect field, and Rainbow Colours has competitive figures when all parts are in working order, so may be worth chancing each way at 12/1 or better.
My Flower Fate, already a winner of two of her four races appeals in Race 2. This progressive Master of my Fate filly has a swift finishing burst, fits in just right at this class level, and comes out of another hot barn – Lucinda Woodruff has been doing well recently. However, My Flower Fate will need to jump more alertly than she did last time when sleepwalking out the stalls and sacrificing three lengths.
Of the principal dangers to the 2/1 favourite, Red Sash has an admirable record at the track; Lady Silvano goes well handy, rates close to the selection and has won 2nd up before whilst Fun Zone, though seldom actually winning, has the ability and benefits from a lowered merit rating.
Woodruff may also fancy her chances with Katsu in Race 6, a Cape C grade over 2000m. The form to Rule of Thumb and World’s Best looks attractive in the context of this line-up, and the longer route should also give him time to unwind.
As is typical of these tightly packed handicaps – a case can be made for others in a race where bookies have priced up at 9/2 the field. Gentleman Joe’s pace-pressing style is ideal here, and his sole win came second up, while the jockey booking of Richard Fourie on Exceeder is significant as he has a good record on this difficult-to-ride horse.
Connection’s patience with the enigmatic Tothemoonandback could be wearing thin, but the ratings dropper might shine up over this trip; based on stout breeding on the dam side, he is bred for this trip.
Race 10 will round off the program – a Class 4 over 1250m where two well above average three-year-olds, Teflon Man and Lines Crossed ought to give it a good shake. The latter gets the bias-aided, inside alley, and the stylish services of Grant van Niekerk – Craig Zackey on Teflon Man must somehow try to slot in from draw 9.
Others to keep onside are course winner, 12/1 chance Tough Terrain, who has been rested for three months after suffering a narrow beat at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, and the aptly named, 16/1 shot, Bullitt – a potential leader who will be ridden with maximum efficacy from draw 4 by Richard Fourie.
– Preview by Mark van Deventer
