By Mark van Deventer
Justin Snaith and Richard Fourie are always respected by the market when they join forces (28% wins and 57% places) so SONG TO THE MOON will be favoured to complete a hat-trick in Race 2 at Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Kenilworth meeting.
He moves up in class to a Cape B Stakes against some steady rivals (CHOLLIMA, GREEN MANDARIN and GIMME MORE TIME) and a few handily weighted opponents such as ROYAL INVITATION and OMIKAMI. VOORLOOPERTJIE would also be dangerous on the pick of his form. But SONG TO THE MOON need simply build on the good figure attained last time over the course and distance to go in again.
Eight goes to post in Race 4, a Maiden over 1400m. There are some likely improvers to factor in TRIPPING THUNDER and DAWNS EARLY LIGHT. NORDIC PRINCE ran a career top last time out. SUPERHERO came a distant second on debut and CRESCENT has a shake on back form when nearly toppling, Sir Korski.
That said, the two to focus on are GURKHA and MY ARCHANGEL. The former is well bred and eligible to win on his third start, going a slightly longer route. MY ARCHANGEL who is really finding his mojo since gelding, rates a major threat with top-jock, Fourie choosing Lucinda Woodruff’s entry.
Class 5 races cater for the less talented horses in town. Race 6’s field has an average merit rating of just 64. Mohandas can compete at this humble level, but he tends to lack finishing punch. Instead, the best of the bunch could be TSUNAMI WARNING who has been gelded after a career top speed figure despite a wide draw and being held up in traffic, behind Sail the Seas.
KING VISERYS is the main menace to Dean Kannemeyer’s entry. He is not an easy ride, but it helps that Fourie, who won on him in October, stays on board. Piet Botha’s runner was noted staying on purposefully in a five- panel dash recently behind re-treaded sprinter, Kelp Forest and is clearly in the best physical shape possible.
MAJOR MASTER rated positively by Bass Racing, has let the side down a few times. This smart 3YO will try to make amends in Race 7, a Class 4 over 1400m. He needs a good pace to run at – something that DEVIL A SAINT and MONT LOISIR can provide. Jockey Aldo Domeyer can secure a good position from draw 1 with all the speed coming over from the outer.
CARRIACOU, who meets the par standard, should get a good stalking trip and seems sure to run competitively. However, he doesn’t win often (2/21) and could be vulnerable to a young, improving rival.
Glen Kotzen’s duo, COMMANDING (another liable to race upfront) and MY BESTIE fit at this class level, whilst DANCINGTOTHELIGHT, who mixes his form, has a shake on his best efforts. DAS GUTE has comparable figures yet may prefer Hollywoodbets Durbanville to Kenilworth’s wider expanses.
The program concludes with a couple of Class 4’s down the straight. An inside draw bias influenced results the last time sprint races were held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
If the bias is still in place, then TICKET TO VEGAS (speed on inside rail), the tactically versatile, ALLTHEBOYSIVELOVED and BABELICIOUS (sports competitive form as it is and now gets blinkers to sharpen up) could take advantage in Race 8.
Race 9 will see 15 horses loading into the starting stalls. There is a wide spread of form with contenders drawn right across the track in the most compelling event on the whole card.
If the inside bias (low numbers) holds up, then 7x winning veteran, FORT RED (speed on the inner,) class-suited, BLUFF ON BLUFF; unexposed, ONE LINER and steady campaigner ALL ABOUT AL would make the shortlist.
