By Mark Van Deventer
MASTEROFTHEDESERT showed the improvement expected of him by the Bass Racing stable in a sprint at Hollywoodbets Durbanville three weeks ago and he is poised to exit the Maidens in Race 3 on Saturday, a 1250m sprint.
Reported as making breathing noise on a no-show debut in April when his saddle slipped, he was laid off for a couple of months and did not do much running at his second start, either.
However, he came to light after another rest with a flashy burst from off the pace behind Across the Board in early August. He was equipped with a tongue tie then, which stays fitted on Saturday, and with further progression he rates the horse to beat, though there are many hard-to-assess firsters and unexposed youngsters lurking as possible dangers.
Justin Snaith is going along at a smart clip early in the season, and he has a strong hand across the card. He could provide another stable winner in Race 5 with LICKETY SPLIT and AMONG THE CLOUDS coming in off neat tries 22 days ago when they fought out a Class 4 course and distance finish.
PRINCESS OF BAYEAUX set the pace on that occasion and will probably do so again with GLEE CLUB stalking her. A true tempo would favour Snaith’s super-fit, stretch running entries and they might lock up that Leg of the Pick 6 and Jackpot.
It seems as if the Futura Park trainers such as Snaith and Brett Crawford, as well as those in private establishments (Glen Kotzen and Andre Nel) currently have a conditioning edge over their Milnerton counterparts. Most races in recent meetings have been won by these outfits.
Snaith’s WILLIAM WEST is a Hollywoodbets Durbanville course specialist, and he showed a return to form when dashing home just behind dead-heaters, O’Tenikwa and Swift Action two weeks ago. He’s drawn marble 3 in Race 7 which aids his cause in a 1000m scuttle. He could be worth an each way ticket.
There are other well drawn threats such as SILVER SCREEN, BLUFF ON BLUFF and WYLIE JACK while SWIFT ACTION (gated awkwardly in 11), SHIFTING PATH and XPLICIT CONTENT have solid recent form and should give their supporters a good sight too, in a contentious race.
BECKY SHARP looks interesting in Race 8 over 1400m – the furthest trip she’s tried. Vaughan Marshall’s Rafeef filly races as if this longer route should suit, given her running style and the abundant stamina on her dam, Sassy Sal’s side. Sean Veale is entrusted with the steering and will need to work out a smooth commute trip from draw 11.
There are a whole bunch of legit candidates in this event. BABELICIOUS and SCARLET MACAW are obvious threats down the inner alley, but extensive cover may be needed to survive and advance in the exotics.
Likewise, the “lucky last” is a full field Class 4 going 1400m, with a wide spread of form. Dean Kannemeyer saddles DEFINITELY YES, an eye-catching, heavily punted debut winner 89 days ago at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. STATED, PLUS FOUR, WE HAVE TOUCHDOWN and CAPTAIN WEST are also last start, runaway Maiden victors now making their handicap debuts. Any of them could conceivably double up.
However, don’t overlook well tried older horses, RADICCHIO and DAS GUTE who are in peak shape having run good figures under two weeks ago in a blanket finish behind Big Unit. There is a chance that those gut-busting runs have taken something out of them, but both have done especially well at this unique layout, albeit using contrasting running styles.
RADICCHIO (ridden by SA Champion, Richard Fourie) is a gallant pace presser while DAS GUTE (Devin Ashby rides) tends to languish at the back before rallying late. The track profile at Hollywoodbets Durbanville typically favours forwardly placed types, especially when the ground firms up – so maybe RADICCHIO, on whom Fourie has won twice from three starts, is a higher percentage call.
