By Mark Van Deventer
The headliner at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Tuesday is Race 6 – a Class 3 over 1600m where eight runners will load into the stalls at 15h37. A brisk pace is expected with the energetic SCALINI, a rejuvenated HOLDING THUMBS, confirmed pace presser FUTURE TURN, and SALVATOR MUNDI all comfortable racing on or near the lead.
Such a scenario might tee things up for stretch runner, INFRARED, a very promising Twice Over 4-year-old gelding who is far better than his one win from eight starts indicates.
He has been a bit stiff a few times which happens to horses that come from off the pace and need to get the breaks at the right moment. But for those tactical hiccoughs, his record would have a brighter sheen. In the summer of ‘23 he ran close to seven-time winning older horse Innamorare at virtually level weights, then next got within two lengths of high-class stable mate and subsequent Hollywoodbets Durban July hero, Oriental Charm when conceding him 2.5 kgs.
Its appears that the top weight has trained on nicely after a rest and gelding in April given a most gratifying comeback. He stayed on willingly within a length of Allez Moris and close to the reopposing, FUTURE TURN who seems sure to run another good race. INFRARED, however, has more scope and can improve past that rival this time around.
HOLDING THUMBS is a major threat. He has been transformed since being fitted with blinkers and ridden more forcefully on soft ground. Glen Kotzen’s Vercingetorix charge now moves up in class under an eight-point penalty, but could be capable of handling this stiffer assignment.
FIBONACCI mixes his form and might be happiest over 1400m but would be handicapped a chance off a light weight on his best efforts. SALVATOR MUNDI and NAVY STRENGTH have won nine races between them, yet are arguably most effective over further.
Course suited, PAS DE NOM returns to his happy hunting ground after a spell in KZN which yielded a second place, an MR 86 Poly win and a flop from three starts.
Race 8 is a basement level Fillies and Mares sprint where the average merit rating of the entries is a measly 56. Under the circumstances it may be an idea to shop around for a price horse with hidden form. APPLE CATCHER is one such esoteric pick who can outrun her odds.
The Pomodoro mare is lightly raced by Paddy Kruyer with a win and three places to her name from ten outings. Her penultimate start looks uninspiring – near the back of the pack nine lengths off Nordic Quest. But that was a way stronger race than this one as not only is Nordic Quest potentially high class, but beaten rivals Knockout, Blue Holly and Winter Rainfall have since performed admirably in tough contests.
APPLE CATCHER now drops big time in the OMR’s. The pick of her back form on firmer ground gives her a shake at this lower level, but she remains a boom or bust pick only worth speculating on at generous odds.
I’M SO PRITTI has an improving profile and seems sure to run into contention in Race 3, an Open Maiden over 1250m. The Justin Snaith trained Vercingetorix filly who went close behind Scarlet Macaw over the C/D last time, in a key Maiden that has yielded two subsequent winners, can anchor PAs and probably Bipots too, but is opposed by two beautifully bred fillies making their debuts for strong connections.
BERRY’S BOOGIE is by Churchill out of fine race-mare, Love to Boogie for Andre Nel; and TAP SHOES is a Snaith trained, Master of my Fate filly ex Moggytwoshoes and thus related to G1 competitors, Zapatillas and Shoemaker. Given these potent pedigrees, a market watch and careful monitoring of the prelims is advised before committing to any wagers.
