By Mark van Deventer
The Sweet Chestnut Stakes (Listed) has drawn a competitive field of fillies and mares going 1400m. I’m so Pritti was scratched midweek, leaving a dozen entries with an average merit rating of 100, from top- weight RAINBOW LORIKEET down to 3yo’s, LOCK AND KEY, BE MERRY and MISS WORLD who carry 53kg’s.
Candice Bass Robinson has the two highest rated fillies in her care. Six-time winner RAINBOW LORIKEET sports an official merit rating of 111 after a productive summer campaign. She is classy and totally dependable but may prefer a bit further and is drawn wide at 11.
Stable companion, SCARLET MACAW was raised to 111 after finishing second to Fatal Flaw in a false run World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas. She has twice run nowhere near that mark since, but this little Horizon filly can accelerate sharply when in the right frame of mind and might bounce back racing fresh under Andrew Fortune’s magic hands.
Bass Racing’s, CALLMEGETERIX enters calculations, as well. She has only missed a stake cheque once from 16 outings, loves this C/D and has a versatile running style which gives jockey Ozzie Noach positional options.
Justin Snaith saddles BE MERRY. This Lancaster Bomber 3yo should get the run of the race from the inside alley under Muzi Yeni. She will need to raise her level to mix it with higher rated rivals but will get every opportunity to run a career top.
PRINCESS IZZY quickened up well to get within half a length of Siddeley last time. Brett Crawford should have her conditioned in great shape to fire once again though she might be in the grip of the handicapper after being raised six points for that last effort.
The form of KINDA WONDERFUL last start is looking better given subsequent accomplishments of the very smart and progressive, GIVE ME EVERYTHING. She does mix her form somewhat yet has a nippy turn of finishing speed and Craig Zackey seems to get the best out of her, making her clear shortlist material.
LOCK AND KEY was favoured to win the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes back in July 2024 after winning her first two starts as a juvenile impressively for trainer, Glen Kotzen but has been off track since. She is hard to assess.
The erratic, GIMMETHATPEARL, a winner of four of ten starts and unplaced in the others, has about the same chance as CALLMEGETERIX on their clash in November ’24.
GOLD POKER GAME is arguably better over a mile plus. Her run in the Diana Stakes over seven panels was not too shabby and Corne Orffer should guide her around smoothly from gate 2. It’s hard to envisage her actually winning this, but she might hit the board.
Giant mare MY FLOWER FATE is usually slow out, then closes off purposefully – that’s when she can obtain clear running in the straight. It’s been all of 647 days since connections greeted her in the No. 1 box but as one of the consistently fastest finishers in the field it would be an error to throw her out.
MISS WORLD is prejudiced by a wide draw, as is KYALAMI GIRL. They will need luck from out there. MISS WORLD, though just a one-time winner from 12 starts, has run some neat speed figures in defeat over sprints and could be dangerous if getting over and setting comfortable fractions in a race devoid of clear and obvious pacesetters.
The tightly rated, Sweet Chestnut is not an easy race to call and concerns about the pace complicate matters. PRINCESS IZZY, KINDA WONDERFUL, CALLMEGETORIX, SCARLET MACAW, RAINBOW LORIKEET and BE MERRY make a wide list of “possibles.”
Other than casting a wide net in exotics, the suggestion is to shop around for the best value price amongst these contenders and bet the most generous overlay.
Punters looking for a banker on Saturday’s card are advised to row in with LA PULGA in Race 8, a Middle Stakes over 1800m. He ran a cracker a month ago when staying on with determination behind All out for Six in a 1400m stakes contest and will love stretching back out to a longer route over which he has won before.
LA PULGA is not at all harshly treated with a current OMR of 93. This smart 3yo is expected to prove his true worth in a race that sets up just right, where his challenge will be to run down top weighted older rival, CALL TO UNITE and hold off deep closer, FIBONACCI.
The brave 5yo gelding, RULE OF THUMB should also be in the fray, but he has been bumped up even higher in the handicap and may find it too tough to meet his younger, rapidly developing foe at levels.
Soft ground would prompt a wake up for SOLAR POWER who has won off a higher merit rating than his current assessment, but a slushy surface seems most unlikely given the weather forecast.
All things considered, LA PULGA appeals as the most probable victor. Forceful jock, Sean Veale, who partnered him behind All out for Six in the HSH Princess Charlene Big Cap, retains the mount on Candice Bass Robinson’s runner.
