By Mark van Deventer
DUBBELOSIX ran an improved race when finishing second to Happy Days in a pretty decent time for non-winners over a mile. Given that his conqueror went on to run a big figure at his handicap follow up, Brett Crawfords entry has legit hopes of shedding his Maiden tag in Race 3 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth’s Tuesday meeting.
The R1.9 million Vercingetorix colt received betting action that day and duly ran well. He will have come on for that run and six weeks later should be primed to deliver a sharp performance from a favourable draw. JP van der Merwe takes over the steering from the injured, Luyolo Mxothwa. DUBBELOSIX is priced up at around 3/1 in ante-post markets.
There is always a question mark over how Hollywoodbets Durbanville form translates to Kenilworth as the tracks play quite differently. In Race 5, KAMCHATKA, ENCHANTING CHOICE and JET TO THE SUN renew rivalry after a clash three weeks ago at the northern suburb’s venue.
They could fight it out once again, (with a slight preference for ENCHANTING CHOICE who finished her race off best of the trio) but perhaps KAMAKAZI back at her preferred track and invigorated after a two-month freshening can also get into the fray.
On the numbers, she has as good a chance as those mentioned and goes to post at considerably better odds – 12/1. Check the declarations for the new jockey booking as Aldo Domeyer is no longer riding the Captain of All filly.
SENHORA VICTORIA has endured a long losing sequence which has stretched to 616 days. Not that she has run badly during that period – she has gone close and “hit the crossbar” a few times. No question – she is way overdue a third career success, but whether you want to take 16/10 about that eventuality is debatable.
Eric Sands has placed the six-year-old mare in a winnable, Class 5 against humble opposition, and even if the fixed odds price seems unappetizing, she can be used to anchor Jackpots and P6’s with the booking of expert rider, Richard Fourie enhancing expectations about the favourite in Race 7.
The following event, a 16 runner Class 4, is contentious. Bookies reflect that unpredictability by going 4/1 the field in an open betting market.
Maybe Justin Snaith, who saddles four runners, can take it with either DAWN TILL DUSK or RULE OF THUMB. The former ran well at this class level when staying on nicely behind Raddichio after a tardy start. That was a neat effort by the progressive son of Trippi, but he has been raised three points for his troubles and is a three-year-old set to carry 58.5 kg’s against some hard knocking older rivals. He is quoted at 5/1 here.
One of many threats in this open affair is stable mate, RULE OF THUMB, a brave thoroughbred who races with pins in his legs. His last start was way better than it looks on paper as he clipped heels and stumbled before closing with a zippy fractional to get within 1.5 lengths of BOUNDLESS ENERGY, a quality three-year-old with classic aspirations.
Draw ten is not easy to navigate from over 1400m and Craig Bantam is a low percentage rider (3%) who gets scant opportunities. But he does have a special affinity with RULE OF THUMB (winning three of ten starts and placing four times) so he might be able to roust this resilient 16/1 outsider into the frame.
Adam Marcus has a rock-solid strike rate of 14% winners to runners and he sends out ALL ABOUT AL in the lucky last, Race 9, a Class 4 over five panels. He was tried over further earlier in his career yet is adept at the short cuts; in fine fettle having raced competitively during October and is again handicapped a fair shake at this grade.
ALL ABOUT AL is no standout – BARNEY MCGREW and SHIFTING PATH rate upsides on collateral form. And Candice Bass Robinson’s COUNTER ATTACK, RATTLESNAKE and 20/1 lurker, NIGHT TIGER (on back form) enter the reckoning, too. But All about Al is in shrewd hands, is consistent at this level and should give each way punters another good sight at a fair price of around 4/1.
