The Hollywoodbets Durbanville track has taken a hammering with record rainfalls through winter and the course will remain soft and choppy on Wednesday. Given interruption to the training schedules of many horses, it may again pay to concentrate on those entries that have run well recently and thus can be deemed fully fit.
STATE CAPITOL is a five-year-old Maiden mare with a humble OMR of 59. At first blush those credentials do not get the pulse racing. But she comes in off a career best figure earned legitimately over the course and distance (1600m) 20 days ago and can add another winner to Paarl-based trainer Glen Kotzen’s tally.
Youngster, MY ONLY WEAKNESS, also fared nicely when a staying on third off Pentolina at the same race meeting, so rates the main threat in Race 5 for the high percentage Adam Marcus / Grant van Niekerk combo.
Punters can try start positively in Race 1 by taking combination exotic bets with MANEKI NEKO, FENCING CAPTAIN and RAFA BAY. All three come into the opening event (off time at 12h35) with neat, current form.
MANEKI NEKO has placed at eight of 11 starts and is overdue to shed his Maiden tag. He was despatched to Fairview three weeks ago, but that up-the-coast mission ended in yet another second place. The other two exit the same Walk with Me form line where they acquitted themselves just fine in hitting the placings 27 days ago.
Keep an eye on firster, OKAVANGO – a Master of My Fate colt ex Sabina Park, an accomplished Highveld racemare. He won’t need to be a superstar to get involved at this humble class level.
KINKY BOOTS and GREAT CAT are speedy fillies who match the required running style for Hollywoodbets Durbanville sprints. They blast off in the 16h45 – Race 8.
Their fitness, however, is questionable as the latter last ran 113 days ago, and Kinky Boots flashed sharp early toe when fading late behind very promising Nordic Quest two months back. But they are certainly good enough to win in Class 4 if anywhere close to match ready.
Race 6 – a Class 3 over 1600m – is the strongest field on the midweek programme. A case can be made for most of the eight entrants with Brett Crawford saddling five livewires.
The each-way selection though is FUTURE TURN, and while no standout, he should give supporters a run for their money. The Justin Snaith trained gelding pressed the pace with purpose when second to Solar Power at the grade; crucially that was just 18 days ago. Buttressing his case is a neat record at the country course, the ability to handle a wet track and a convenient low draw (3).
Front-running stable mate NEVADA KING should also give a good sight from the inside alley. There is little difference between his claims and FUTURE TURN based on their clash behind Promettere in January, making the son of The United States a must use in the picks. NEVADA KING has not raced for three months though, so FUTURE TURN gets the thumbs up for an each-way wager.
By Mark van Deventer
