By Mark van Deventer
PINOT GRIGIO and MAJOR MASTER renew their rivalry when they participate in Race 5, a Class 3 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over 1600m on Tuesday.
The first time they met was in October 2024 when PINOT GRIGIO got first run on Major Master and capsized the 5/10 favourite at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. They then finished on top of one another at their next clash in November behind Gentleman Joe over this C/D.
Both 3YO’s have trained on since, running some neat races and they now step up in grade after good first up runs after rests. PINOT GRIGIO draws the rail and carries 1.5kg’s less than his rival, MAJOR MASTER who has the outside post (9.)
While cases can be made for consistently placed FUTURE TURN; Eric Sands’ recent Maiden winners, GOLD DUST and now blinkered, BEL CANTO DREAM; Paddy Kruyer’s TENPENNY, and feisty front-runner, ASPECT, the preference is for Ricky Maingard and Candice Bass Robinson’s entries.
Race 9 is a difficult Class 4 sprint down the 1200m straight. A full field of 15 will face starter Fred Bosman. Low numbers seem to have an edge based on recent results which may be a problem for CROWNED HORNBILL (12) JET FORCE (13) and KING’S QUEST (15) who otherwise have sound credentials.
Pace presser, ESCARPMENT and Elsinore look interesting, drawn towards the middle and inside. The former drops in class and gets red hot Gavin Lerena who is a thinking rider attuned to shifting track biases. ESCARPMENT came good this time last year with some solid speed figures off a similar rating to his current OMR. That Autumn seasonal preference may see him shine up for Piet Botha’s Dare to Dream Racing Stables at odds of 10/1.
ELSINORE’s stand out run was a neat try over this track and trip behind Kelp Forest. His two follow-ups’ have not been of a similar standard, however. Mustering a repeat of January’s better effort can bring this 20/1 shot piloted by the forceful Muzi Yeni into the mix.
WATER DRAGON was noted running on purposefully down the rail from way back last time in a Class 4 behind Chasingtherainbow. The extreme outer post of 13/13 was the reason for languishing with poor early field placement. Roles are reversed in Race 4 as he is now allotted the inside alley in this 1600m contest and Gavin Lerena, Marshall Racing’s go-to jock gets the call up on the 4/1 antepost favourite who should put forth a bold bid with a clear round.
He faces a raft of challengers, TWO A PENNY was consistent prior to a 146 day pause and last won off a similar mark to her present rating. UNICORN ALERT has been threatening to crack a second win for ages whilst Justin Snaith’s stable mate LANDOFTHERISINGSUN is not a straightforward conveyance but hints at nifty ability so is feared even with a burden of 64kg’s.
RED DAWN and DALMENY FACTOR (on back form) are worth adding to wider plays.
