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By Mark van Deventer

WILD APPLAUSE takes on Peanut Pops in the 3rd leg of the Hollywoodbets Work Rider’s Series, a Maiden Plate over 1100m which opens Saturday’s card at 12h20.  

Justin Snaith has found an ideal spot for the daughter of Vercingetorix. She comes out of some decent Maiden form lines and gets help from Louis Burke, who has won three of four rides for the Snaith stable in these races.  

Other than PEANUT POPS who suddenly improved out of all recognition last time behind Elsinore when heavily punted, and the hard-to-assess firster, DIVE BOMBER, the opposition are proven mediocrities.  

Snaith may also be hopeful that ARBITRATION cracks the code in Race 3, though barrier 11 over 1400m is a negative. His last out figure earned behind Green Garnet (in his first try after gelding) was his best to date. Repeating that, or improving just a little which seems likely, might be sufficient given the opposition.  

SCOTTISH LINKS and AMANDLA NGAWETHU are worthy of serious consideration, though. The former ran second to Bounceback 41 days ago despite an awkward start, whilst Clinton Binda’s runner showed speed for a long way before tiring behind subsequent winner, Golden Destiny.  

For those who like taking trifectas and quartets, it could be an idea to add likely improvers, CHARLIE BUCKET, MASTER BOMBER and DRICUS to their plays.  

P6 bettors can secure the opening leg (Race 4) with four entries: HAPPY WIVES, SUGARBUSH, ALESSIA ASHEVILLE and BENEATH THE CLOUDS in an Open Maiden over 1200m.   

HAPPY WIVES comes off a career best when showing speed over the course and trip 17 days ago; BENEATH THE CLOUDS is also a fit, on-pace runner favoured by Hollywoodbets Kenilworth’s currently quick surface and Andre Nel’s SUGARBUSH made an encouraging debut behind promising, Shesgotclass two week ago. Andries Steyn saddles ALESSIA ASHEVILLE, another speedy filly with reasonable form at this lowly level.  

KELP FOREST has been a revelation since turning back to sprints, equipped with blinkers. Adam Marcus’’ entry is gunning for a hat trick in Race 6 over 1000m, though he does now step up in class and has been penalised five points for a last out defeat of Sooty.  

KELP FOREST

His challenge will be to run down THE ABDICATOR, now with Piet Steyn after a stable switch. The No Nay Never gelding is very speedy and competitive at this class level, loves this C/D and is back in form after a few duff tries when not jumping cleanly. The only other possible menace is ELUSIVE WINTER, who will also race handy or upfront and seems best over these five panels.  

The Clapham Stakes for Fillies and Mares is tightly rated. Polynomial comes out marginally on top with DIXIELAND BAND, totally reliable Bass Racing entry, CALLMEGETRIX, GOODNESSGRACIOUSME and FUN ZONE just one point adrift.  

CALLMEGETRIX

ONI SAN tries a mile after failing to make an impact in sprints for some time – it’s 623 days since she last won. SCHOOL POLICY is a pace threat if Corne Orffer choses to race her assertively, whilst Hampstead Heath has a nice turn of foot and will probably come from off them given her wide draw (9).  

That leaves the giant mare MY FLOWER FATE who has been lightly raced this Summer by Lucinda Woodruff. She again come in off a three month spell, but both her wins have been first up after rests, so the break may actually be in her favour. She has been competitive in stronger fields than this and could be a live contender at good odds.