– Written by Mark van Deventer
(Image of GIMMETHEWALTZ by Chase Liebenberg)
GIMMETHEWALTZ finished off a 1100m race nicely behind HEAR MY VOICE three weeks ago, and the extra 100m of Saturday’s Class 4 handicap should suit her ideally. Though she has thrown in a few duff tries already in her six start career, building on that most recent run at the same class level gives her a solid chance in Race 9 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
Aldo Domeyer was on this daughter of GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT when she won her Maiden in July over the C/D, and he is back onboard going for a second victory on Candice Bass-Robinson’s filly.
TRES CHIC was close by in that same HEAR MY VOICE form line, while PINEAPPLEMINTGREEN and GIRL LIKE US, despite dodgy last out starts, both have a squeak on back form. ON BOARD is a pace threat, as is class-dropper TICKET TO VEGAS, and either might keep on for a share of the prize money.
Bass and Domeyer will fancy their chances in Race 7 as well, with rapidly progressive stayer, WEATHER KING who has really come to hand this summer. After four dull starts when slowly get his racing career underway, he showed signs of life in an October Maiden behind subsequent winner EPIKLEROS, and has since notched a double, winning under tight wraps on both occasions.
(Image of WEATHER KING by Chase Liebenberg)
MAGIC VERSE rates the primary danger; like WEATHER KING he, too, is on a hat-trick after following up on a Maiden score with a Class 4 victory. They have practically the same OMR’s of 90 and 89 respectively and are drawn right next door to one another, suggesting a close tussle.
HOLDING THUMBS is the dark horse in Race 7. Glen Kotzen’s entry was punted with conviction, and he duly weaved through a large field from a bad draw to shed his Maiden. He’s got plenty of scope.
Another to factor in is SUDDEN SONG. Though well beaten by a free-wheeling WEATHER KING, he is now 4kg’s better off for that 2.35 length defeat which could make him more competitive.
Louis Burke who was an apprentice for some time before switching careers to become a hard-working, super diligent stable assistant, gets back in the saddle with an opportunity to ride a winner, KAAPSE HOOP, in the opener, a Work Riders Maiden Plate over 1000m.
His beautifully bred mount (by QUERARI ex CROC VALLEY) got a neat figure on debut behind NIGHT VIGIL, then regressed somewhat behind AMBER ROCK, (who she’d beaten on debut) when finishing in the ruck. She was a bit naughty at that suspect second start, which casts a lingering doubt over her claims. Despite those concerns, assuming KAAPSE HOOP behaves herself, then she could be fleet-footed enough to outrun CASINO ACE, THREE COINS and TAM’S KNIGHT in Race 1.
(Image of GALLIC DREAM by Chase Liebenberg)
GALLIC DREAM caught the eye running on purposefully behind resurgent, INNAMORARE in his first outing since Eric Sands chose to geld the potentially talented VERCINGETORIX chestnut. He takes on highly assessed two-time winners, IT’S RAININGWILLIAM (OMR 108, including two fine recent C/D efforts) & JERUSALEMA RAIN (OMR 106) in Race 10, which will close out Saturday’s card.
Based on the marks of his rivals, GALLIC DREAM, who currently has a rating of just 93, could find it too tough at these closely framed weights, yet the feeling persists that the youngster is yet to show his full potential.
SANDS has booked go-to wizard hoop, Richard Fourie, for the ride; they jump from draw 2 and should benefit from a saloon passage in a race where an honest pace seems assured.
GALLIC DREAM has won second up after a rest before, so has the right form pattern and could be worth an each way touch at early odds of around 11/2 or better.
