– Written by Mark van Deventer
(Image of WINDRUNNER by Chase Liebenberg)
In the light of what has happened recently, trailing in five lengths off an easing-up RED PALACE has a better sheen to it now, and that makes WINDRUNNER an attractive proposition in Race 6 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
RED PALACE came into the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas underdone after missing two intended preps, but only succumbed narrowly to SNOW PILOT. That rival followed up with a fine performance in CHARLES DICKENS’ L’Ormarins King’s Plate tour de force, finishing next to Snaith Racing stablemate, HLULHUWE, who RED PALACE had finished ahead of in the Hollywoodbets Guineas.
This is a roundabout way to show that RED PALACE is a top filly, and getting within five lengths of her when receiving only 1.5kgs suggests WINDRUNNER is smart enough to handle more humble Class 4 opposition.
(Image of RED PALACE by Chase Liebenberg)
The daughter of MASTER OF MY FATE has run since her drubbing at the hands of Candice Bass-Robinson trained stable companion, beating reopposing ENCHANTING CHOICE over the course and distance (1800m) without drawing deep breath. WINDRUNNER could well be quite a few points higher than officially rated (OMR 88) and is selected to double up.
Single race exotic back-ups to be used underneath include ENCHANTING CHOICE; front-running, PASSCHENDAELE; the now better-weighted duo of DUAL AGENT and SUMMER NIGHT CITY; stretching out SILVANO filly, CATTALEYA; plus Justin Snaith’s entries, CLOUD CHASER and EPIKLEROS.
Snaith has a good chance with LIGHTNING GLOW in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1600m. Gelded since being capsized at odds on three months ago by DAS GUTE, his fitness must be taken on trust. LIGHTNING GLOW is in expert hands though, and the VERCINGETORIX colt has most likely strengthened up during the break. He could be good enough to come out and win first up after a break, and seems – at least – a ready-made banker for PA and Bipot purposes.
The fourth is a hot Class 3 over 1600m – ROSH KEDESH, PROMETTERE, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN and FUTURE PRINCE seem likely to win races at a higher level than this as they develop. PROMETTERE was most impressive surging from dead last to beat WECANGOALLNIGHT two weeks ago, but he may be held (just) by ROSH KEDESH on earlier lines of form.
The fickle but talented, FUTURE PRINCE comes back (yet again) from two months off track yet has twice won on resumption so that cannot be held against him. On back form he’s a serious runner. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is another campaigned sparingly at intervals, and though he mixes his form, would have a shake off 54kg’s.
Featured race on the program is the Summer Fling Stakes, a Grade 3 over 2000m, which comes up at 16h10 as Race 7. One-time winner from 14 starts, HOLD MY HAND is weighted to come home lonely, and Richard Fourie, the only jock to have won on her, is entrusted with riding duties. Maybe he can roust her sufficiently, but HOLD MY HAND’s problem is that she’s a deep closing-stretch runner that needs a pace meltdown on which to capitalise. In races run slow early, she only gets underway too late to win. Though she’s placed in the Oaks, SA Fillies Guineas and Woolavington, hence her OMR of 108.
(Image of SILVERLINKS by Chase Liebenberg)
ROYAL INVITATION and SILVERLINKS will race handy from low draws – even SUPREME DREAM goes forward at times, so there is contested speed on the inside. This could tire out the front-runners and tee things up FOR HOLD MY HAND’s finishing effort.
One to keep an eye on is lightly campaigned, FUTURE GIRL. Despite being far out of contention on official ratings and coming back from 134 days off track, she ran her best race fresh in May and could outrun her odds.
Images by Chase Liebenberg
