BY MARK VAN DEVENTER
William Longsword’s stats as a value for money sire are rock-solid and his 3YO filly, William’s Woman can open Saturday’s meet at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in the 11h45.
She has much in her favour – drawn 2 in a 1000m dash, a claim- four apprentice (S Bungane) and a handy running style on a quick, turning track.
Her main threats (unless there is a market springer amongst unexposed rivals) are older geldings Digby (shows good speed) and Moody Blue (will be running on) who will put her under pressure both early and late. Simbine (will be a pace factor) and That’ll be the Day are also plausible contenders.
In the opening leg of the PA, punters can focus on Konnichiwa and Time Honoured. The former is still a Maiden after 11 dips, which is usually not a good sign. But Ricky Maingard’s grey 4YO is poised to crack it, having run to decent opposition whilst earning competent figures. He goes well at the country track and should get the gun run from draw 1.
Time Honoured, for Crawford Racing, will rally from off the pace, tactics fraught with problems at a venue which typically favours tractable pace- pressers. Despite that query, key runs to Future Free and Delta Pride, on both occasions closing ground smartly, brings this 4YO Querari gelding right into the equation.
Vaughan Marshall’s Better Man is on a hat-trick, in Race 5 over 1800m, after winning two on the bounce since gelding, including a last start course and distance victory over King’s Quest.
Richard Fourie, who partnered him on that occasion sticks solid and they will be mighty hard to run down – as pursuer, King’s Quest found out in early September.
Super-dependable, Baton Rouge will again be a pace influence whilst marginal cases can be made for Noble Hero (another possible pace threat from the inside alley); Coco’s Hero (comes off an assertive Maiden win when put over this longer route); Repetition (has good back form at this class level) and Dean Kannemeyer’s, Gurkha who goes well fresh, but Better Man may be a worthy single in the Picks.
Kannemeyer’s best runner on the card is Industrialstrength in Race 7. He powered home when pipped by Major Master in September and his follow up to Mente et Manu was given a boost when that foe romped impressively at his follow up.
Industrialstrength has benefitted from gelding, and his form pattern makes it likely he runs a career top on Saturday, carrying a middle weight over the right distance.
But he faces tough opposition with Tenpenny, Umfula (made an eye-catching return after a rest and gelding), Handsome Prince (can be a bit in and out, yet won smoothly three weeks ago) and class-droppers, Voorloopertjie and Regulation lurking as legit dangers.
Tenpenny, in particular, is feared. Trained by Paddy Kruyer, this What a Winter 4YO possesses a smart turn of foot and will be dangerous if J.P. van der Merwe can manoeuvre him into a striking position. That could be a bit tricky as he is drawn widest of all, albeit in a field of only eight runners and with a long run down the back straight, so it’s by no means insurmountable.
Much will depend on the early tempo – maybe Call to Unite tries to dictate as the lone speed? In a jog- and- sprint scenario, anything can happen – but in a true run mile, Tenpenny, Industrialstrength and Umfula are preferred.
A month ago, Delta Pride won his Maiden impressively and he can go in again in Race 8, a Class 5 over 1500m. The Justin Snaith/Richard Fourie combination are a perennially high percentage duo (currently 24% win & 49% places to runners) and Delta Pride earned a nice figure for that Maiden demolition job without being extended. So, he can run an even higher number still which is usually plenty good enough to win a Class 5.
Another last out Maiden scorer, Astronomical Boy is respected, together with older rival, Devil a Saint, a five-year-old who is merely a two- time winner from 27 starts but has surprised before at this course when shaking loose on the lead.
Trifecta and Quartet tickets can feature Gallic Forge, Prince of Tibet, The Night Ferry and Gnarly who can hit the board at this level if things fall into place.
October Storm and Magical Place renew rivalry in Race 9 over 1000m. They’ve clashed a couple of times with October Storm holding a slight edge.
Both are potentially smart, young sprinters with the natural ability to win their share of races as they can sustain a strong gallop from the get-go. That said, Magical Place may have overdone things last time behind Steadfast – he caved in late after doing too much, too soon.
Bluff on Bluff is a late running threat from an outside gate, but that running style does not really fit the track profile in sprints at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. He is more sensibly used underneath in the lower place slots.
Dame of Trix is also a possibility after winning (on an objection) her first run back after a bleeding suspension in a neat, adjusted time.
Nicola Yuen, a bubbly apprentice from Hong Kong under the expert supervision of legendary jockey, Felix Coetzee, retains the ride on James Crawford’s mare.
