By Mark Van Deventer
Gareth van Zyl’s, LUHAMBA PHAMBILI won impressively a month ago down the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and will try to repeat the win in the Cape B Stakes, carded as Race 8 on Wednesday, He has been raised in the handicap to an OMR of 104 and now carries 61.5kg’s, a stiff assignment for an early season 3YO.
Older rivals, ALL ABOUT AL and TENANGO will test his ability and resolve. The former is a 7YO that is performing consistently, while TENANGO came back after a long break to fix breathing issues and duly blow away rivals.
There is plenty of speed signed on with ELUSIVE WINTER, who has shortened in early trade; PORQUE TE VAS and ICY BLAST all eager for blast off. This will set up an exciting, true-run clash and test LUHAMBA PHAMBILI’s capabilities.
In a similar cross-generational scenario, two young fillies (SWIATEK and MIRACULOUS) take on an older campaigner, FAMILY POWER in Race 7. The above-average youngsters have met before with little separating the pair and it should again be a close-run thing.
As for FAMILY POWER, this race sets up nicely for her carrying just 55kg’s and Grant van Niekerk’s mount must go onto all main tickets. She could represent each way value at 6’s.
Van Niekerk might also fancy his chances on TOTHEMOONANDBACK in Race 5. Des Mclachlan’s entry is trying to improve upon a sequence of three consecutive placings. The Twice Over gelding is fit and in form and slots in neatly at this Class 5 level, so should give it a good shake. He has attracted ante-post support and is now offered at around 15/10.
However, the fact that he is a mere two-time winner from 27 starts tempers enthusiasm. Ozark has a slightly better winning record (3 from 19) and must be respected under Richard Fourie who will make the inside draw count favourably.
Trainer, Lunga Gilla, who is returning to the Eastern Cape, will be hoping for a rewarding send-off with 7/1 chance, Mohandas. He may well be held by TOTHEMOONANDBACK on their last meeting yet is weighted to finish closer and should not be overlooked with SA’s third ranked jock, Craig Zackey taking over.
The contender shortlist for Race 4, which is the opening Leg of the P6, comprises GRAN CANARIA, NATIVE RULER, AFRIQUE and RED DAWN. The first two are trained by Justin Snaith and both come in off encouraging Maiden efforts behind KING VISERYS and GARRIX respectively.
Bettors trying to trim costs may stick just with that duo – in particular, NATIVE RULER’s last attempt, despite being hampered, suggests he’s a winner in waiting. Hence opening quotes of around 9/10 odds-on.
But AFRIQUE also did not have the smoothest trip last time (rider dropped his rein) and only just missed behind GNARLY; and 14/1 lurker, RED DAWN has also encountered traffic problems a few times so would not be winning completely out of turn.
Punters trying to get the meeting off to a fast start can focus on FENCING CAPTAIN, ELSINORE and MRS SHACKLETON in the 12h20, the 2nde leg of the Hollywoodbets Work Riders Series, a Maiden Plate.
WILLIAM BAMBISO has been around seemingly forever and is a regular winner in these races so he should get the best out of joint 17/10 favourite, FENCING CAPTAIN who has placed behind some nice types and is due a change of fortune.
As for market rival, ELSINORE, last time he jinked around which cost him a narrow margin defeat behind Shipindani. He is improving quickly and needs to just run straight under Louis Burke to be a likely winner.
MRS SHACKLETON is still a Maiden after 16 attempts and often makes respiratory noises. Such negative evidence is all that’s usually needed to put a line through a horse’s chances in a major centre. Yet she has actually run some decent speed figures against winners and may be able to belatedly crack it for loyal connections if allowed to bound away loose on the lead.
