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By Mark van Deventer

CIRCUMBENDIBUS has placed at his three last starts, earning speed figures that are good enough to exit the Maidens so is selected to do just that in Race 3 over 1200m. This event is part of the ten-race program put on by Cape Racing on Saturday afternoon at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.  

JP van der Merwe gets on well with Glen Kotzen’s entry (they nearly toppled subsequent winner King Viserys in October) and should place him in the right spot for a telling challenge. Blinkers and earmuffs are now equipped for extra focus.  

A market watch is advisable given the number of debutants (four) and lightly raced horses in the full field of 17. In the absence of any market springers, CIRCUMBENDIBUS can open his account in the 13h10.  

LANDOFTHERISINGSUN is another that seems overdue to shed his Maiden tag. He has bumped some better than average rivals and earned decent figures behind the likes of Noon Day Gun, Rich Folks Hoax and Green Garnet yet remains a non-winner after six starts. That could all change after Race 7 over 1800m – off time 15h35.  

He will need to settle correctly and run straight (has shown a tendency to pull and shift about) to get the job done. Who better than top trainer, Justin Snaith and ace pilot, Richard Fourie to steadily educate the young Danon Platina gelding on the right racing manners. They combine for 30% winners and 58% placings when joining forces.  

LANDOFTHERISINGSUN’s main dangers are BOMBERS IN THE SKY (unluckily beaten a (Whisker) by Ardabil last time after taking a bump) and BEER WITH THE BOYS who is improving at each start as he goes incrementally further.  

GOLDEN ANGEL is moving in the opposite direction distance wise. Trainer Kotzen brings her back to 1400m after trying longer routes and that could pay off in Race 9, a Class 4 for F/M.   

Her dam, Elusive Heart was very smart between 1200m and 1600m – arguably 1400m was her optimal trip.  

It also helps that the 3YO daughter of Gold Standard is drawn in pole position, gets hot rider, Craig Zackey’s services, drops in the merit ratings and sports a penultimate figure at this grade that would give her a fighting chance.  

The race is competitive, and she is by no means a good thing, but could be worth an each way ticket if offered at  generous odds.   

Jackpot and P6 players can add Snaith Racing’s progressive, SWIATEK; speed factor, LA DVINA who just staved off SWIATEK last time, and ALLTHEBOYSI’VELOVED from the in-form Lucinda Woodruff stable. They have winning claims, too in the 16h45.