– Written by Mark van Deventer
(Image of YELLOWPORSCHEROAD by Chase Liebenberg)
Trainer Vaughan Marshall can land a winning double with YELLOWPORSCHEROAD (Race 5) and MONTELENA (Race 7) at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday.
YELLOWPORSCHEROAD has twice suffered from bleeding episodes, so comes with a health warning. Until now, Marshall has been unable to get him to run three races in succession without a break. However, assuming all is well and he has come on from an impressive last start victory, then the son of POMODORO can handle the step up in class (he now carries a lighter weight to compensate) and take care of Class 2 rivals under Ashton Arries.
The 3/1 shots main dangers are DANCE VARIETY, who is also in fine fettle and primed third run after a rest, while class-dropping COUNTDOWN is a smart sprinter on his day. CHARLIE CROKER’s defeat of subsequent winner ZIL MORIS at his penultimate start gives him a shake, too.
MONTELENA, a daughter of The United States trounced subsequent Olympic Duel second place finisher, SIDDELEY, at her most recent outing. For her troubles, she’s been raised five points in the handicap and faces several capable rivals, but the manner of her last stylish victory was encouraging.
(Image of MONTELENA by Chase Liebenberg)
JAPANESE ROSE was fortunate to beat her in November when MONTELENA was continually blocked. Though Brett Crawford’s filly was deemed good enough to take her place in the Fillies Guineas and must be respected racing handy from a low draw, MONTELENA should – with a clear passage – have her measure. Richard Fourie’s steed is offered at 7/2 in pre-betting.
Other possibles are the giant filly, MY FLOWER FATE, who turns back in trip after racing over middle distances while SUMMER LILY comes into the reckoning on a line through SIDDELEY. FUN ZONE doesn’t do much winning (just two scores from 19 starts) yet has shown enough to be used underneath in exotics.
A more venturesome value pick comes in Race 8, a closely rated Class 4 for 13 fillies and mares over 1800m. BUSY LIZZIE fits the bill as a rounding-into-form entry who should work out a good trip from a low draw.
She produced her best form around this time last year and showed renewed zest when trainer Eric Sands slapped blinkers on for the first time three weeks ago. She got bounced around in a rough race but still managed a performance figure which puts her right in the mix here.
She now goes further than before which, being out of a FORT WOOD mare, could elicit improvement. The MASTER OF MY FATE filly was competitive of an OMR 12 points higher in late Summer ’23 than her present mark of 68.
A plausible case can be made for many of the opposition with bookies going 5/1 the field, so BUSY LIZZIE’s supporters will need generous odds to compensate for the risk. Craig Zackey’s mount is worth a spec bet at odds of 12/1 or better.
