By Mark van Deventer
On Saturday (21 June) at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, speed on the rail was the dominant bias. Practically all bar class-dropper Kamchatka’s victory was achieved in that manner.
On the assumption that the track will play similarly on Tuesday, it could be the right move to focus on fit horses that race handy and are able to race as close as possible to the inside running rail, both for straight and around the turn events.
VIVA LA VIDA meets those requirements drawn 1 in Race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Fillies Plate (fillies) over 1200m. Trainer Vaughan Marshall has again booked high percentage hoop, Gavin Lerena, who rode her into second spot behind Lowveld Lily on debut 42 days ago.
She showed good pace and stuck to her task before succumbing by 1.25 lengths to a rival that has subsequently been placed in the Listed Irridescence Stakes.
MARKETA should give it a good go too, BEACH VERSE (by Vercingetorix ex Beach Beauty) is liable to improve second up, and BEAUTIFUL ONE has shown flickers of form worthy of market support… but VIDA LA VIDA can take advantage of conditions to win the opener at 12h10.
It just wasn’t Bass Racing’s day over the weekend when they missed narrowly a couple of times, and the stable will be hoping that DU MAURIER rectifies matters in Race 2.
The Captain of All filly has twice showed good pace when finishing behind She’s My World and Inside Voice in May. Repeating either of those efforts from an advantageous low draw (4) down the straight six could see her in the No 1 box unless a market springer pops up.
Aldo Domeyer probably has most to fear from well-bred and improving stable mate, MY DEAR FRIEND (ridden by Andrew Fortune) but that one is berthed high at ten.
Race 4 is an intriguing Open Maiden over 1800m and while they will need to get over from tricky draws, BEAUTIFUL SIDE and REAL STUNNER have the early pace to do so. What also counts in their favour is both come out of the Ariovistus form line who won again on Saturday to justify a heavy market plunge.
REAL STUNNER actually conceded weight to Ariovistus; jockey Richard Fourie is one of the best around at adjusting tactics to the conditions so this Oratorio mudlark should be in the fray.
Taking the weight turnaround literally, blinkered Vercingetorix filly BEAUTIFUL SIDE must be respected.
It is a big plus factor that Brevan Plaatjies is to ride Eric Sands charge. He is a very promising apprentice with a sound riding technique and sensible temperament. He won’t be claiming 2.5kg for much longer if sustaining his present strike rate in Cape Town under the astute mentorship of legendary jockey, Karl Neisius.
Bettors trying to cash in Race 4 can also include MONEY EXTRACTOR, SESAME and MOMENT OF TRUTH in their exotic combos.
Few jockeys come any cagier at race-riding than “Manne” Fortune, and he teams up on Ricky Maingard’s SET TO MUSIC in Race 5, a Maiden over 1600m.
Fortune will be keenly aware of the appropriate tactics on race day, and given that SET TO MUSIC has run his best races from handy slots, he is well placed to take advantage drawn barrier 2. He comes in off a career top when outrun by Afrique and building just slightly on that effort may prove good enough to shed his Maiden tag.
SET TO MUSIC will need to stave off three talented youngsters saddled by Vaughan Marshall – BETTER MAN, BALZI ROSSI and CAPTAIN’S ALLIANCE – who must overcome the widest draws at the 1600m start.
Another threat is posed by James Crawford’s recently gelded SMART HORSE. Crawford also sends out GALLIC FORGE who is improving, while Justin Snaith’s YAMAKAZI has a shake on a decent penultimate.
On 2024 form, the enigmatic MARINE MERCHANT, who resumes after a bleeding episode in March ‘25, enters calculations too.
All told, fans of the Picks may need to cast a wide net to get through Race 5, which shapes up as a difficult contest.
