By Mark van Deventer
Horseracing resumes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, 12 April, with a ten-race program headlined by the Variety Club Mile (Gr3). Scheduled off time is 15h30 and 11 entries have accepted.
There are several confirmed front runners, THE GREY KING, THE FUTURIST, LET IT BE SAID and even BAVARIAN BEAUTY have led on occasion, so a true run 1600m is anticipated. They will give a good sight upfront but could prove vulnerable to stronger finishers GARRIX, MAGIC VERSE and last year’s winner, RASCALLION.
GARRIX resumes after being gelded on the 24th of February, a procedure he needed. His prior form was very strong – sweeping to a couple of convincing victories over extended sprints then placing behind Zeitz in the Politician Stakes and, most notably, getting within 3.75 lengths of Eight on Eighteen at level weights in the SplashOut Cape Derby Gr 1. If Piet Steyn has him ready to roll, he could be hard to hold out carrying just 52.5kg’s.
MAGIC VERSE and RASCALLION clashed in the Premiers Trophy on the 4th of January with Vaughan Marshall’s durable, stalwart winning by a whisker. At these revised weight terms, he will find it hard to cope with MAGIC VERSE though as Justin Snaith’s entry is now 5kg’s better off.
Eric Sand’s progressive charge, GALLIC DREAM should get a perfect set up, trailing the speed horses then launching in the stretch. At the official weights he faces a daunting task, but the feeling is that he still has scope to build on his rating. On collateral form from mid-March, PROMETTERE has a similar chance to GALLIC DREAM, but Sand’s runner has more scope and is not to be discounted when the race sets up just right for his stalk and pounce running style.
Brett Crawford has done everything in his power to bring ZAPATILLAS back to best after an injury enforced layoff. He ran close to RASCALLION in the Cape Mile and Premiers, so has a definite shake on those efforts, but subsequent runs were below that level.
BILLY BOWLEGS got caught up in traffic behind GALLIC DREAM and might be slowly regaining his mojo. That said, it’s been a long time between drinks for his connections as he was truly competitive way back in 2023 with his last win all of 811 days ago.
Who is best of the on- pace horses? The filly, BAVARIAN BEAUTY hasn’t scored in 517 days and needs a major revival; THE FUTURIST is “diamond” diamond or rock”, occasionally keeping going to spring huge upsets but more often fading out tamely. THE GREY KING is a feisty sort with a low draw and an edge at the weights over talented yet headstrong, Snaith trained stable companion, LET IT BE SAID so is worthy of respect for the placings, but it is questionable if he has the finishing punch to hold off the cavalry.
The contender shortlist narrows down to the seriously exciting and perhaps now more focussed 3YO, GARRIX; ultra-dependable, proven Gr 1 competitor, RASCALLION, plus fleet-footed and favourably handicapped, MAGIC VERSE who is 2/2 over the trip. With a smooth trip, GALLIC DREAM could outrun his current mark and get involved, too.
