By Mark van Deventer
Over the past weekend, Patrick Kruyer saddled heavily punted winner Scottish Links and the same trainer could repeat the treatment with TENPENNY in Race 3 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday.
The 3YO What a Winter gelding has finished second in his last two starts, earning nice figures on both occasions. He was pipped a whisker by Red Dawn just three weeks ago in a fast adjusted time for the class and is poised to shed his Maiden tag. JP van der Merwe rides.
DUBBELOSIX has also clocked in second at his most recent starts and now resumes after a 78-day freshening. He rates the main threat.
The progressive BRIGADIER BILLY, WAR HAWK, MARINE MERCHANT (on back form) and second-start, likely improver, MANIKONGO are next in line.
The Red Dawn, Maiden form-line pops up again in Race 4. UMFULA was noted running on with purpose from miles back and now goes a longer route which should suit the Brett/James Crawford trained colt just fine. With further improvement likely at his fourth career start, UMFULA could open the P6.
WOOD WORLD and FUTURE FREQUENCY are developing staying types, both worthy of respect – even AHEAD OF THE FACTS is trending positively since being gelded.
Kruyer and van der Merwe have another live runner in Race 9, a 1000m Class 4 for Fillies and Mares where FIRST MASTERPIECE should run on strongly. She duffed it last time but her two prior runs at this class level were solid.
However, the choice is Bass Racing’s TANNERON, precociously talented at two, who showed signs of resurgence at her most recent dash down this straight, when taking the bronze behind Sohot Sowhat.
On collateral form, PRISCILLA MAISEY is also a contender; so too are IN THE GREEN ZONE, LOVE SHACK and FURIOUS QUEEN.
THE CHARLESTON, stable mate to TANNERON, disappointed 49 days ago yet would have a shake on runs to NORDIC QUEST and ALL IS GREEN. She has not won for 711 days though, and the lightly campaigned TANNERON, ridden by high-percentage hoop, Aldo Domeyer is selected to confirm the ability shown in March 2024.
On that occasion, the daughter of Var hammered Artiste by three lengths, and that rival is currently racing off an OMR in the mid 90’s, ten points higher than TANNERON’s present assessment.
Punters must choose between DIAMOND BOMBER or CATCH A PENNY in Race 2 over 1400m. Both have placed regularly after being backed to win their Maidens.
DIAMOND BOMBER may have a tiny edge on the numbers but is drawn at 8, while CATCH A PENNY can save ground from the inside alley. They have run seven seconds between them from 11 starts and one of them is fated to do so yet again.
BEAUTIFUL SIDE is a well- bred Vercingetorix filly with some scope from Eric Sands stable. Richard Fourie sticks solid after a much better second start and she might be an unsettling “cross-current” in what otherwise appears a “boat race.”
