By Mark van Deventer
The juveniles have top billing at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday in the Somerset 1200 (Listed). A field of seven, including a Trippi colt (DANCE TO THE SUN) and Gimmethegreenlight gelding (QUICKSMART) making their debuts from Snaith Racing, will load into the gates at 14h55, on what will most likely be a softened track after recent rains.
Who has the best form going in of the five raced entries? CHURCHILLIAN, THREE TIGERS, ABSOLUTELY YES, and filly SHE’S MY WORLD sport equally appealing credentials.
CHURCHILLIAN (by Rafeef) went start to finish last time to beat off slow beginner, THREE TIGERS, over 1000m at this venue a month ago. That was a smart, assertive performance and a repeat by Candice Bass-Robinson’s giant charge, who weighed in at 504kg, could be strong enough to win this.
THREE TIGERS needs to jump better and not give away too much ground which can be hard to make up on a soft course. The indications – after his last start romp in fast adjusted time – are that he is quickly learning this racing gig. This diminutive colt could be dangerous going an extra 200m.
SHE’S MY WORLD, like THREE TIGERS, is sired by One World, and receives a 2.5kg allowance with champion jockey, Richard Fourie, who rode her to a walk-in-the-park last win, sticking solid. They merit obvious respect.
ABSOLUTELY YES was a comfortable winner on debut at the end of 2024. Like many subsequent victims, he was then spat out by outstanding Eastern Cape juvenile, Direct Hit, in February’s SplashOut Cape of Good Hope Nursery.
On his May comeback after a rest and gelding, he ran with determination behind Dreamworld, suggesting that he is ready to fulfil early potential.
JP van der Merwe rides the grey son of Danon Platina. Trained by Justin Snaith, his Winter Nursery form behind Dreamworld ties in closely with CHURCHILLIAN.
Greg Ennion would dearly love to crack the string of placings this year with a long-awaited victory. He conditions the speedy BUGLE BOY who ran upsides of very smart subsequent winner, Happy Verse, at his penultimate try in April.
Jockey Grant van Niekerk, who was called in for a “please explain’ after BUGLE BOY’s next outing when folding into fourth spot, is replaced by Craig Zackey for Sunday’s engagement.
Baby races are always tough to predict. There are only a few form lines on which to draw tentative conclusions and often juveniles can make dramatic improvement from one start to the next.
As the betting market takes shape, the picture may become clearer as stable elects with good workouts shorten. Alternatively, one of your personal choices may go out to such a generous price that the decision on which of the contenders to bet is made for you.
To be sure, exotic bettors can reasonably include the four best of the raced entries on their perms – CHURCHILLIAN, ABSOLUTELY YES, SHE’S MY WORLD and THREE TIGERS.
