By Mark van Deventer
Punters will really need to keep their wits about them at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth’s midweek meeting where a competitive eight race program awaits.
VIVO PER LEI has a decent each way shake in the opener – off time 12h30. She ran nicely in a Class 5 after receiving market support, showing pace for a long way over six furlongs and now drops both in class and trip. Corne Orffer is one of trainer, Des McLachlan’s go-to jocks, and he is entrusted to get the best out of the Duke of Marmalade filly who is priced up at around 4/1 ante-post.
The main dangers, barring a market springer amongst the firsters, are FLYING FINDLEY, pipped on debut in a Hollywoodbets Work Riders race, and now assisted by Richard Fourie; and SUMMER SNOW who has some solid back form, including a placing in April behind subsequent, Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas 4th, O’TENIKWA.
There are many possibilities in Race 2, an Open Maiden over 2000m which kickstarts the PA. A suggested shortlist comprises Express Yourself, ASINANTANGA and DOUBLE DASH with the middle named of the greatest interest. He is improving at each start and will love the longer route on both breeding and running style.
The following contest is also over ten furlongs – a contentious Cape C with twelve entries in a tricky start to the P6. FLY FUTURA is worth a spec bet at double digit prices. He drops in grade after not disgracing himself in a stronger Class 4 over a mile and gets relief from the handicapper. This distance should prove suitable, and Aldo Domeyer has positional options from draw 5.
PINOT GRIGIO ran well first time out of the Maidens and is one to keep onside. Deep-closer, KWITE A KING; CONTINENTAL EXPRESS, GROOVEJET (backed in early trade;) last start winner, TOTHEMOONANDBACK and MOHANDAS are all possibilities.
Three runners catch the eye in Race 5: EMPIRE STATE, UNICORN ALERT and Happy Days. The latter comes out of the Sail the Seas form line so the performances of HOODIA in the previous race, and value suggestion FLY FUTURA in Race 3 will either weaken or strengthen his case. He is one of the few horses (SIR KORSKI is another) that might seize the initiative in a race devoid of obvious pacesetters.
EMPIRE STATE is a way above average three-year-old from Bass Racing who got mugged on the line by WORLD OF PLEASURE last time after receiving heavy betting action. He will try make amends.
Slightly behind him on that occasion was UNICORN ALERT. This time the Justin Snaith entry has finally cracked a neat marble at 3, having been drawn in the bush for his last four starts. He is overdue a second career win after a string of placings in Class 4 company.
Andre Nel saddles KAMCHATKA in Race 6. The consistent Erupt filly is versatile with her running style, which is helpful depending on the pace set-up.
JET TO THE SUN; heavily punted Maiden winner, RUSSIAN ROYAL; SENHORA VICTORIA, GARDEN OF EDEN (significantly, the pick of Richard Fourie); GLEE CLUB and bold front-runner, KAMAKAZI are others in with a shake.
It’s hard to get too carried away about a horse that has won a solitary race from 18 tries. That’s the case with TAMBOURINE MAN in the 16h05, a bottom of the barrel Class 5 where none of the entries do much winning.
However, Adam Marcus has this Twice Over gelding in sharp nick and he comes in here off a nice try at this level despite an awkward passage. Craig Zackey will try avoiding any traffic snarl ups and this patient rider will try delivering his mount with a late dash in a race full of “cheap speed.”
PRINCE OF TIBET, CHAMPAGNE MAC and XPLICIT CONTENT rate close by and can sensibly be added to permutations, if you don’t trust the modest, TAMBOURINE MAN to beat them off a humble OMR of 60.
