By Mark van Deventer
Based on visual observations of Wednesday’s meeting, Hollywoodbets Durbanville is currently a fast running, closely mown, firm surface that suits speedy entries.
It’s not as if horses cannot come from off the pace (witness Okavango swooping from dead last, 14 lengths back to win the finale under brilliant strategist, Richard Fourie, on 5 March), but the percentage call is to support physically robust horses that can stalk or set the pace, then kick early.
On witnessing how the track was playing, ever alert trainer, Justin Snaith quickly decided to slap blinkers on DAWN’S EARLY LIGHT to sharpen him up for Saturday’s opener, a Hollywoodbets Work Riders Series Leg 4 Maiden Plate over 1250m. Snaith’s entry will be ridden by Louis Burke who has an excellent record in these races and can help punters get off to a winning start in the 12h15 race.
VICTOR HUGO gets his opportunity in Race 5, an Open Maiden over 1400m. Lucinda Woodruff’s runner has run some nice races from handy positions, placing ineach of four starts in key Maidens that have yielded several subsequent winners. Assuming he is in good shape 52 days after he was narrowly beaten at odds on behind It’s My Time when things didn’t work out (slow away, wide / no cover), he can make amends.
FUTURE FREQUENCY, who will have his first run as a gelding, may be better over further and, while SHOW OFF is eligible to improve second up, draw 11 is a problem. Perhaps VICTOR HUGO’S biggest threat is CHASINGTHERAINBOW for the in-form Brett / James Crawford barn, but he will need to jump more alertly than last time.
Though the class riser, handsome RICH FOLKS HOAX is on the improve, Snaith seems to have the second race sewn up. His charges, LET IT BE SAID, consistent 5YO INNAMORARE, and equally dependable FUTURE TURN comprise half the entries.
The former is preferred as a rapidly progressive 3YO, winning full of run 42 days ago at this level, and it adds confidence knowing that the son of Vercingetorix goes well at this venue. Fourie riding is another obvious plus factor.
MISS WORLD has let the side down a few times without actually running badly. It’s just that her saddle slipped when not disgraced behind Asiye Phambili in the Southern Cross Stakes, and she was then pipped at her two most recent starts, marginally outrun in tight finishes. She deserves a reprieve in Race 8, a Class 3 over 1250m.
She should get a good lead from the speedball, WAR CHARIOT. If Corne Orffer – successful at this venue midweek on Nordic Chief – produces her with similarly precise timing and with stalk and pounce tactics in a fast run race, then Greg Ennion’s One World filly can record a belated 2nd career victory.
DUMBLEDORE is a threat on his best course form (a smooth defeat of Bjorn Ironside in October ’24 gives him a shake), while ROSH KEDESH and class-riser KELP FOREST are closers that should be staying on purposefully from wider draws.
Draws are significant in sprints at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. This is so well known, that oddsmakers and punters factor it into the prices. So, what does one make of TANNERON in the “lucky last?” She is arguably the best filly in the Class 4, 1250m race, yet is hung out at 11/11.
Talented as a juvenile and seemingly now back in sharp shape under Candice Bass-Robinson’s patient tutelage, she could be worth chancing on her course debut if going a big enough price to compensate for the obvious disadvantage of the wide draw.
She ran with distinction versus subsequent winner, First Masterpiece a month ago in a key race. 3rd placed Lucy Rocket came out and won with a powerful burst on Wednesday. Notably, TANNERON got as close as she did despite a tardy get-away and she can stun them with a late flurry, assuming she does not concede too much start. Aldo Domeyer is challenged by the onerous task of overcoming the track bias.
Of the possible dangers, DAME OF TRIX is rounding back to form and should make her own luck racing handy; JOU LEKKER DING has solid credentials, and though a bit in-and-out, GIRL LIKE US lurks as a menace off her best efforts at this venue. LITTLE MISS PINK, PHILOSOPHISE and PILOT FLAME are place candidates.
Race 9 will conclude the meeting which features 11 runners – off time of the finale is 16h55.
