By Mark van Deventer
MASTEROFTHEDESERT has, in soccer jargon, hit the crossbar a few times. Candice Bass-Robinson’s entry is still a Maiden after six tries but has kept good company and not been beaten by far on four occasions. He gets another opportunity to shed his tag in Race 3, an Open Maiden over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday.
There is lots of pace in the race as all of MYSTIC MAJESTY, BLAME IT ON ME, TRIPPING THUNDER and BOUNDLESS LOVE like to force the issue. That should tee things up nicely for Aldo Domeyer who can secure a good position in early running from draw 3, before throwing his finishing dart on the even money favourite.
The same trainer jockey combo has solid claims in the following race, a Maiden over a mile. DIAMOND BOMBER has run decently three times since returning from a rest; on the two most recent occasions he has been compromised by wide gates.
Drawn 7/13 this time, Domeyer should be able to work out a reasonable trip. His mount, quoted 13/10 ante-post, has the best collateral form based on finishing second behind Lavender Bay three weeks ago.
Stable mate RAHHABBA must be respected on runs to BEWARE THE BOMB and SWIATEK, while Richard Fourie’s mount, EXQUISITE also has a shake from a favourable barrier (3). Those three should suffice in Leg 1 of the P6.
Piet Steyn saddled heavily backed Garrix to victory on Saturday. The three-year old is potentially smart and the Milnerton veteran will try win with a horse double Garrix’s age in Race 5. BLUFF ON BLUFF has run consistently neat numbers, yet his win rate going into this Spring and Summer was quite low.
That’s because he prefers firm ground rather than soft, which means he is less competitive during the Cape winters. BLUFF ON BLUFF is also a hold up sprinter who needs everything to break just right. He cracked a fifth career win from 43 starts under Fourie recently and will try follow up in a Cape C Stakes over 1000m.
KELP FOREST (this 7/1 shot looks intriguing dropping back to sprints with blinkers fitted), BARNEY MCGREW (close to BLUFF ON BLUFF at his penultimate start), FORT RED (still giving it an admirably full go at seven), RATTLESNAKE and MAJOR APOLLO will make life hard for Steyn’s entry who is priced up at 3/1.
The day’s strongest line up is in Race 6, a Class 2 over 1400m where the average merit rating is 103. A powerful yet simple way to narrow down the contention in any contest is to focus on runners that have recently done well at the class level or in a slightly higher grade.
Using that filter reveals these possibilities:
Lone speed horse, SAN PEDRO. who is mighty dangerous using forcing tactics. He may easily clear off into a different time zone with an uncontested lead and prove impossible to catch. He has however, been making breathing noises at his last couple of starts.
THE REAL PRINCE caught the eye on his seasonal opener in a too-quick sprint behind Ziyasha. He should strip fitter now and will love seven panels.
RAPIDASH ran well at this class level in September when piping Pacaya, though that was over 1800m, and he may find this distance on the sharp side.
PONTE PIETRA is a frustrating stayer that, most times, doesn’t settle. He fits on class here having run a close third in the Gr 3 World Pool Gold Cup and interestingly is two from three over the trip, but is not one to risk the rent money.
GET IMPRESSED could be THE REAL PRINCE’s main danger. He has consistent form between 1400/1600m, should go well second up after a break since moving down from KZN and is tactically versatile. It also helps that jockey JP van der Merwe currently has a hot hand.
Snaith Racing stable mate, UNDERWORLD, has excellent back form but does not strictly meet the criteria as those fine efforts to Silver Operator and At My Command over the course and distance date back to last year. Likewise, HAN SOLO also falls down on the recency factor as he’s been off track for 402 days, though he handled races at this level just fine back then – regardless of the trip.
Race 6 is tough to call – slight preference is for THE REAL PRINCE – a talented performer with plenty of upside, to notch a third score from just five outings.
