ROCCAPINA was backed to win on debut on 26 May, but got toppled by Worldcraft. The adjusted time figure was good, suggesting that the market support was well founded, even if the wagering move went awry and the layers got the cash.
This preamble indicates that Candice Bass-Robinson’s One World filly ex Scandola can make amends in the 12h15 opener at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday. There are nicely bred firsters to consider, but it will take a special debutant to deny ROCCAPINA.
NOBLE HERO caught the eye on debut running in the latter stages of the 1200m sprint on 18 May, and he goes in the 12h50, under new recruit, globe-trotting jock, Steve Donohoe who has been brought in from Mauritius to ride for Denis le Breton’s stable, Monden International.
The Vercingetorix ex Best Kept Secret colt who is trained by Des McLachlan now drops back in trip so there is a query that he might be done for speed. Nevertheless, he could still be worth using at a price in single race exotic combinations with SUMMER SNOW and BILLY COOL (finished ahead of subsequent winner, In the Green Zone) and Billy Cool (neat run behind Langerman contender, Talk to the Master when last seen two months ago).
Justin Snaith and Richard Fourie will be expecting SONG TO THE MOON to finish in the winner’s enclosure after Race 4, after a string of four consecutive placings over 1200, 1400, 1600 and 1800m. While no star, he has performed credibly enough to shed his Maiden tag in a race where none of his rivals seem that formidable.
Under the terms of an Open Maiden, he must carry 61kg and concede weight to all 12 foes; yet even that burden may not stop him.
The same accomplished trainer/jockey combo may double up in the following race, another Open Maiden over 1950m, with JACK IN THE GREEN. He comes into the race off two seconds, behind rapidly progressive, Baton Rouge and Aladdin’s Lamp. On both occasions he stayed on with purpose, falling half a length short.
There is a wide spread of form in the 14h35. All of FRENCH TRIP, ETOILEFILLANTE, GOLDEN GREY, AMANCIO, POINTDEXTER and poorly drawn, MIDWAY, (the only one of those mentioned who carries more weight than JACK IN THE GREEN) will make him toil for the win.
SPIRIT’S UNITE remains a one-time winner after 17 tries. Horses with low win rates are not worth betting at short prices; they need everything to fall favourably otherwise they find a way to lose again. In SPIRIT’S UNITE’s case, he tends to be slow away and get too far off the action – and he has also found traffic trouble with his low-percentage, deep closing style.
That said, he is more than capable of winning a Class 5 off a career-low rating of 68, and his current form is pretty decent given that the horse that somewhat fortuitously beat him last time Kelp Forest, has gone in again.
Aldo Domeyer takes the ride on Piet Steyn’s entry who is worthy of an each way ticket, especially if the turf comes up a bit soft on Tuesday afternoon.
