By Mark van Deventer
The Paarl Diamant A Stakes heads Saturday’s card at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Nine closely rated runners go to the 2000m start at 15h35, with 103 being the field’s average merit rating.
WITHOUT QUESTION is the best horse in the race by a clear margin but it remains to be seen if he will run to his number (OMR 115) as his current form has been dull. His last win came 656 days ago.
On the plus side, this course and distance suits as his best rating was achieved in the 2024 World Sports Betting Cape Town MET. A repeat of that effort would obviously make him a major contender.
HOLDING THUMBS receives 7.5kg’s from WITHOUT QUESTION, brings solid form into the race and seems sure to go well racing handy from the inside draw.
OTTO LUYKEN and BARATHEON have comparable figures. Both finished around three lengths adrift of Rascallion in the Premier’s Trophy and are handicapped a chance on their best ratings.
However, they tend to be one-paced in the finish which they can get away with at Hollywoodbets Durbanville given the track’s profile yet will need to boost their closing sectionals to score at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth where the finishing punch counts.
CALL TO UNITE mixes his form due to respiratory issues so is not one to trust. NEBRAAS, a quality stayer in his prime, is on a long losing streak having not won for 686 days and this 8YO will need to wake up dramatically.
THE FUTURIST has pulled off some wacky front running steals to win at huge odds, but those heroics have been surrounded by tame efforts where he’s finished at the back of the field.
BLACKBERRY MALT competes at a lower level than this though his last try in the Western Cape Stayers was satisfactory. Overall, he is a steady performer who must prove he can duke it out with these stronger rivals.
In an aberrant failure, NAVY STRENGTH clocked in stone last with a nasal discharge 42 days ago. His form prior to that was decent and he must be respected over an ideal distance carrying just 52.5kg’s with red-hot rider JP van der Merwe looking to deliver him late in the piece.
OTTO LUYKEN
Is there a clear pace angle in this contest? THE FUTURIST has been known to vanish over the horizon at high speed while HOLDING THUMBS, WITHOUT QUESTION, CALL TO UNITE, BARATHEON and OTTO LUYKEN all do best when racing handy.
That suggests the pace should be good to fast which might just tee things up for an off pace “swooper” like afore-motioned lightweight, NAVY STRENGTH. He is the tentative each way suggestion.
Proven middle distance performer, HOLDING THUMBS seems sure to give a good sight given his dependable form and the race shape. In a field of erratic contestants, the 5x winner from 15 starts is the best option as a single race exotic “roving banker” and necessary use on all tickets.
However you slice it, though, Race 7 is tough to call and Pick 6 and Jackpot bettors may be grateful for wider cover.
