By Mark van Deventer
SWIATEK and KAMCHATKA renew their rivalry in Race 2 on Sunday over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
It was a close-run race when they last met on 26 July: Andre Nel’s KAMCHATKA raced handy and kept on purposefully only to succumb by a neck to SWIATEK’s powerful finish down the stretch. Taking the track variant into account, the adjusted final time and closing sectional were notably brisk for the class level.
The slight weight turnaround (Nel’s beaten filly is now 1.5kg better off) suggests it will again be nip and tuck, though as a tie-breaking rule in turf racing it usually pays to favour the quicker finisher. Justin Snaith’s SWIATEK was much the stronger through the line in their clash 43 days ago, so gets the marginal thumbs-up.
Both have won at the course, are trained by skilled handlers and are piloted by experienced jockeys with Richard Fourie on SWIATEK and Corne Orffer aboard KAMCHATKA. It should be an exciting tactical showdown.
Snaith has shown his intent at the start of the season, already saddling a bunch of winners at the country course. WISH LIST in Race 6, a Class 4 over 1400m, might add to that burgeoning tally if a sterling post Maiden effort is anything to go by.
Despite traffic dramas, the 3YO daughter of Legislate rushed through a zippy come home sectional to get within spitting distance of VIVA LA VIDA on 13 August. That effort deserves upgrading and she could gain compensation on Sunday.
She will need to see off STORMWATCH, a stylish, odds-on Maiden winner and RAHHABBA who has proven competitive in this division off her current merit rating. 4 YO DIAMOND BOMBER is also feared, having runs some decent numbers this time last year at the venue.
Bass Racing has a fair shot at taking out the last two races on the program. HELIOTROPE may love the longer route going 2400m in a tightly clustered C Stakes. When in the mood the Rafeef mare can finish with determination and her fancy for Hollywoodbets Durbanville is another plus factor.
PROFESSOR SNAPE rates close by on his most recent meeting behind Two a Penny, and he just needs to run back to the pick of his old Highveld and KZN form to get into the fray. He too has previously shown a liking for the country track.
Slow starting, 3 x winner of 36 outings, TOTHEMOONANDBACK is bred to be a stayer. While can plod along at one pace and needs everything to break just right so is not one to bet the ranch on, the booking of Richard Fourie catches the eye. The past performances reveal he has gone fine fresh in the past.
He is certainly respected – a line of collateral form with HELIOTROPE on their runs to Kwite a King gives Des McLachlan’s charge a winning shake. By the way, McLachlan also saddled the very promising 3YO Jet Force, who landed a spirited betting plunge on 3 September when he defeated Langerman winner Absolutely Yes in the process, recording a smart figure.
Bass-Robinson’s RATTLESNAKE showed sustained pace to crack an overdue second win 25 days ago and will try repeat in the finale, a Class 4 scurry over 1000m.
The son of Buffalo Bill Cody is not a straightforward customer but has sufficient ability to mix it with 8YO stalwarts, BARNEY MCGREW and course suited ALL ABOUT AL, who goes especially nicely for Craig Zackey.
LUCY ROCKET has run well off similar ratings in the past and is advantaged by the inside alley, but she will need to start more alertly than she did a week ago.
Greg Ennion’s promising youngster, SARDINIA BAY, and Vaughan Marshall’s recently gelded 3YO, IRELAND FOREVER (might just need it after a break), are short list material, too.
