By Mark van Deventer
Cape Racing has laid on a Tuesday meeting which fills with 87 entries across eight races at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. There appears to be some enticing betting opportunities featuring horses that recently performed at Hollywoodbets Durbanville with the prospect they can upgrade that form when shifting to H.Q.
MIRACULOUS has twice run on strongly in country course sprints and is one of those who might prefer the stiffer HWB Kenilworth straight. He rates a big chance in Race 1 as his effort when just failing to reel in Swiatek is the best on offer in the 13h15.
Using the Beware the Bomb race as collateral, the main dangers to Brett Crawford’s charge are HOPE CHEST and ENGLEFIELD GREEN.
Being drawn 12 out of 12 is a problem at Durbanville over sprints but no such disadvantage applies down the Kenilworth straight six. That means GARRIX should get his opportunity to shed his Maiden in Race 2 over 1200m with Richard Fourie’s expert help.
Piet Steyn’s runner exits a key Maiden which has already yielded multiple winners and placed horses. That was his debut and GARRIX produced a 22.7 second closing fraction to get within half a length of Let It Be Said.
With natural progression he should be hard to resist though CHIEF RUNNER, NATIVE RULER, MILITARY MESSENGER and SUMMER SNOW will try to hold him off.
Three horses stand out in Race 4 – GOLDEN DESTINY, CRESCENT and SCOTTISH LINKS. The former is a sharp morning worker, according to trainer, Dean Kannemeyer, and just needs to bring that aptitude to the races to win. He does wonder though, if GOLDEN DESTINY is in fact a sprinter or might prefer a longer trip.
CRESCENT has paired two solid tries behind PEREGRINE FALCON and SIR KORSKI, so it would not be a surprise should he win, while SCOTTISH LINKS has shown sufficient ability when mildly supported at two starts to date to suggest he too is a winner-in-waiting.
MARINE MERCHANT could be the answer in Race 5, a Maiden over 1400m. He has run two neat races coming from off the pace, not exactly ideal at Durbanville but tactics that fit better at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth with its wide, sweeping turns.
Bass Racing stable companion, FUTURE FREQUENCY can improve to threaten, and HONOR OF KINGS seems capable of mixing it here too based on what he’s shown at his first couple of starts.
VOORLOOPERTJIE, KING PELLES and FIBONACCI comprise Race 7’s shortlist – an 1800m contest for all horses with net rating of 96 and below. VOORLOOPERTJIE could be difficult to get past as he can sustain a determined gallop and ran with purpose on comeback behind subsequent winner, Oliver 45 days ago.
KING PELLES has really thrived in the Cape for Gareth van Zyl. Stiff a few times on softer going, he has come into his own with the fitting of blinkers, firmer ground and being partnered by the flamboyant Grant van Niekerk.
FIBONACCI has also been the victim of occasional turbulent trips – but for those snarl ups his record would read better than a mere two-time winner from 20 starts. He was badly blocked behind Infrared last time and Sean Veale’s task is to obtain a clear passage for this energetic stretch runner.
