POWERANDTHEGLORY is teed up to win at his second start, after making an encouraging sprint debut on 20 April behind Kaiboy, who races later with a serious shake in the Somerset 1200. The Justin Snaith trained, Richard Fourie ridden entry goes in Race 3 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1400m.
The longer route, inside draw (2) and having the experience of a run all count in his favour. There are firsters and other unexposed types that he will need to see off, but he does not have much to fear from those with exposed form, and this beautifully bred Gimmethegreenlight colt out of the Jet Master mare, Come Fly With Me, should exit the Maidens soon after 12h40.
Juveniles are never easy to assess as they are apt to improve dramatically. Race 4 is another poser with seven youngsters going seven panels. The performance of exciting Symphony in White on Saturday’s Gr1 Allan Robertson will provide a clue to KINDA WONDERFUL’s chance.
She romped over 1200m at her penultimate start then went down to Candice Bass-Robinson’s filly in a swift adjusted time despite a tough trip (dropped rein/hung.) She could give well-above-average colts like World of Pleasure (good c/d run vs older horse Kebonalesedi) African Prince and Roman Agent a run for their money.
Races 5 – 8 form part of a R250 000 carryover Jackpot where the likely pool should hit R1 million. There are 6 912 possible combinations in this challenging sequence beginning at 13h50.
Leg 1 is nine-runner Maiden Plate over 1600m where WATER DRAGON can open his account. That was what was expected of him last time, but he failed to justify a strong market move into 9/4 after switching radically across the track and pulling a shoe. Vaughan Marshall rates WATER DRAGON as a lovely horse and his entry will try make amends.
MIDWAY has an improving profile and will be suited to the short run in on the winter course by racing handy from a low draw so is the main threat. TSUNAMI WARNING is no star yet brings a solid record; the same applies to ETOILEFILLANTE; while the erratic APACHE CHIEF who mixed his form could settle better with blinkers removed. They can be used as back ups.
Race 6 is one of those trappy Class 4 (F & M) sprints where the contestants take turns beating each other. The three-contender shortlist comprises SHE’S MY CAPTAIN (has won four of nine starts with Richard Fourie up) the consistent TEQUILA SKY and PALO QUEEN (who beat them both last time but has since been raised 3 points in the ratings.) Wider perms might include NIGHT VIGIL, LOVE SHACK and HEAR MY VOICE as they have a shake too, but that would double the cost of the perm.
The Winter Sprint down the Kenilworth “straight six” is Leg 3 of the sequence. 12 runners go to the gates in what is a strong top division contest.
Gr2 winner and Gr1 placed BEREAVE is officially best weighted, but needs to run straight and true rather than jink across the course. QUESTIONING is a high class three-year-old that is loving sprinting with blinkers. He tangles with JERUSALEMA RAIN again and there is little to choose between them as they meet on the same weight terms as last time when QUESTIONING won by half a length.
The pick however is MEU CAPITANO, an improving light weight who could be good enough to handle the sternest test of his career. His speed figures suggest he can cope with this step up in class as he goes for a hat-trick over the c/d. Richard Fourie rides for Piet Steyn, always a sign of positive intent.
RIO QUERARI has been knocking at the door and could pop up given plenty of back-class, but probably needs some relief from the handicapper whilst Snaith-trained stable mate and confirmed mudlark, SILVER FALCON could be dangerous coming back fresh on a rain softened track. All in all, a tricky race.
The final Leg, the Somerset 1200 (Listed) is no easier; none of the eight babies can be summarily dismissed. Punters going short and trimming the earlier races can afford to cast a wider net here and include MISS WORLD, ARTISTE and RAMA FORCESA while slightly smaller tickets might focus on TALK TO THE MASTER, LION RAMPART, TANNERON, KAIBOY and UN BEL DI.
TALK TO THE MASTER is a potentially high-class Master of My Fate colt, but is targeting the Langerman and could find this 1200m dash a bit quick these days. Marshall-trained stable companion, LION RAMPART is a confirmed sprinter that stacks up well against these and ought to give supporters a good sight racing handy.
Very impressive at her penultimate when thrashing the reopposing ARTISE, TANNERON was below best last time when run off her feet by older sprinter Palo Queen. A softer pace back among her contemporaries and the extra 200m should see this daughter of Var back in a more comfortable rhythm.
KAIBOY got within two lengths of the more experienced LION RAMPART on debut, running on smartly after a slow start. He duly followed up next time when backed like a racing certainty into 5/10 (see how the horse he beat, Bagatelle Flash fares in Race 2) and rates a legitimate danger.
UN BEL DI is another to consider as he showed Maneki Neko a clean pair of heels at his first start as a gelding and has improved on his earlier showings since being cut.
