One World is quickly making quite a splash as a stallion and his juvenile colt, ONE STRIPE can add the Winter Nursery (Gr3) over 1100m to his burgeoning resume.
Trained by Vaughan Marshall (who conditioned the high-class, One World) the youngster is seeking a hat-trick after trouncing Aristotle by six lengths in a Maiden, then strolling to victory over Winds of Change in the City of Cape Town Nursery 71 days ago – powerful form in the context of this race. On a link through Winds of Change, ROMAN AGENT can get closer than he managed when below par in the Nursery, while other lines of collateral form suggest that LION RAMPART can get into the mix too.
Querari filly, FURIOUS QUEEN, made a winning debut to justify long odds support, and the performance of BE MERRY (whom she swept past in some style) in the preceding Race 1 will be a helpful pointer.
The progressive RAMA FORCESA went all the way at his fourth start on 2 April and will probably try similar pillar-to-post tactics from the inside draw, but could find it hard to resist ONE STRIPE when it counts.
The Ladies Mile (Listed) has attracted a large field of 15. It is open to all fillies and mares, 3 years and up, and forms Leg 2 of the Winter Feature Racing Season.
RED PALACE who ran exceptionally to be second in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas in Decemberand placed fourth behind Beach Bomb in the Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes, has an edge in class. GOLD POKER GAME who downed Eastern Cape heroine Luna Halo in the Ladies Bracelet, Olympic Duel second, SIDDELEY, and the well-performed ENEMY TERRITORY sport arguably the next best credentials. However, they are all drawn wide at 11, 13, 12 and 15 respectively which complicates matters.
Easier trips seem likely for PRINCESS IZZY, FATAL GEM and RAINBOW LORIKEET as they are gated on the inner. They have competitive-enough figures in a closely rated contest while MY FLOWER FATE from gate 3 can also work out a smoother commute if breaking on terms. MONTELENA and SUMMER LILY are possibilities for much wider perms.
Punters trying to trim exotic costs can go short in the final two legs of the P6. VOORLOOPERTJIE has been transformed since Eric Sands slapped blinkers on, and the fast-improving son of top sire Vercingetorix can be combined in Race 8 with ultra dependable, older rival, ALLEZ MORIS.
Alternate picks are the low weighted specialist, TWO A PENNY (who is seeking a four- timer over the course and distance) and deep closer, KATSU.
GIMMELIGHTNING has not won for 525 days and is way overdue a second victory after staying on energetically at recent starts behind rising star, Meu Capitano.
Come-from-behind sprinters need things to break just right, so it will take a true gambler’s spirit to banker JP van der Merwe’s mount in the final leg (Race 9 – a Class 3 handicap), but he does look to be a winner in waiting off his current OMR of 92.
Defensive backups include pace-pressers, DUMBLEDORE and SILVER CROWN who can make their own luck bowling along upfront while PARATROOPER and the erratic SUN DAZED will be launching late rallies.
– Images by Chase Liebenberg
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