Nine runners will contest the SplashOut Victress Stakes, a G3 for fillies and mares over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Off time is 14h30 and it’s listed as Race 6 on Saturday’s card.
ENEMY TERRITORY, who has been a revelation since going beyond sprints, now stretches over an extra furlong here, and assuming that is within the daughter of Canford Cliff’s comfort zone, she is selected to extend her winning streak to four on the bounce. But it will be no “slam dunk” for Brett Crawford’s fast- progressing filly.
She was an eye-catching winner of her last start over 1600m at the course, finishing full of running in a quick come-home sectional and well clear of re-opposing SAARTJIE. At a quick glance, especially given the ease and margin of victory, ENEMY TERRITORY seems a tough nut to crack. However, the revised weights are cause for concern.
The weight terms have shifted significantly. SAARTJIE is 6.5kg’s better off for that 3.25 lengths drubbing, and is eligible to improve as that was her first start since the Durban Winter season. SAARTJIE also has an easier draw of 2 as opposed to ENEMY TERRITORY who must negotiate barrier 8, with only SILVERLINKS outside of her.
GOLD POKER GAME, HOLD MY HAND and HAPPY CHANCE are other back-ups to be respected. GOLD POKER GAME was only 1.7 lengths off SAARTJIE at level weights earlier this year, and showed her well-being by scything through the field to blitz inferior rivals a month ago at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
HAPPY CHANCE mixes her form, but past performances make her as good as recent G2 Southern Cross Stakes winner, KWINTA’S LIGHT. She is sufficiently classy to compete at this level. It’s not often that Richard Fourie rides for Brett Crawford, but when joining forces, they tend to feature prominently. Keeping HAPPY CHANCE onside, even though she too has some stamina queries, is prudent.
HOLD MY HAND is a mere one-time winner after 13 starts yet sports an OMR of 112 based on repeatedly running places in Graded contests. Her deep closing running style often counts against her in slow run races or when there are traffic snarl-ups, which might explain why she has such a poor ratio of wins to starts. She hasn’t raced in 139 days, yet goes well fresh and should not be dismissed lightly.
ROYAL INVITATION and VIRGINIA SWEET usually race handy, so will be early speed factors from low draws. LOVE IS A ROSE is an off pace closer who will employ stamina to try pick up the pieces. Greg Ennion’s filly will prefer coming back to this suitable galloping track after valiant (but unrewarded) attempts at speed favouring Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
Bookies have priced this up at 4/1 the field in early quotes, reflecting a close struggle. ENEMY TERRITORY is chanced each way at around 6/1 to somehow defy the weight shift and go in again, though the tactically adaptable SAARTJIE (who should get the run of the race), HOLD MY HAND, HAPPY CHANCE and GOLD POKER GAME are daunting opponents. They are all worth using on P4 and P6 tickets
