Love can reign supreme

LOVE SUPREME was friendless in the market when making her debut last month, but Brett Crawford’s runner was up with the pace throughout and only just found one too good for her.

She is likely to start at much shorter odds at Kenilworth this afternoon although victory is unlikely to be a given.

She does step out over a trip that should prove more to her liking but she also has a tricky 15 draw to contend with not to mention two much more experienced contenders in Fours A Crowd and Ostinato.

Ostinato is way overdue for her first win, having finished runner-up in her last three starts, the last over course and distance.

All three outings were in soft ground and from a plum draw and Green Street Bloodstock principal Bernard Fayd’Herbe in the irons, the daughter of Judpot has a lot going for her.

Morne Winaar, after a relatively unproductive stint in KZN, is back in the Cape and former boss Joey Ramsden is giving him chances.

Fours A Crowd was doing her best work late under Winaar over course and distance last time out and this being her third run after a break, she cannot be left out of any calculations.

Two smart colts in Hemmingway and Undercover Agent look likely Classic contenders come the Western Cape season and their connections should be a little wiser as to their prospects when they do battling in the Betting World Handicap.

It is a lowly MR 64 handicap and the two have only recently shed their maidens but both were winners at second time of asking and must have impressed the handicappers having garnered hefty merit ratings of 82 and 81 respectively.

Hemmingway failed narrowly on debut for Andre Nel but made amends at his next start and should enjoy the step up in trip.

Undercover Agent was allowed to ‘run loose’ at his second start – 12-1 the SP - but did well to beat the fancied Rommel.

Crawford’s runner has the better draw and the benefit of having been around the turn but there should not be much between the two.

The unbeaten Langerman winner Tap O’ North appears to have scared away much of the opposition in the Graduation Plate where he is set to face only six others.

A little worrying is that there has been plenty of time between outings but Vaughan Marshall’s runner appears to have plenty of scope.

Obvious dangers are Kampala Campari, just recently gelded, and Our Mate Art, both also returning from layoffs so the market could prove your best guide as to the wellbeing of this trio.

With the breeding sheds open in the next week or two, the Interbet Pinnacle Stakes could be a chance for the two at the top of the weights, Captain’s Flame and Goodtime Gal to add to their records.

However, both are returning from breaks so relaxing in a paddock could still be some way off for the two mares. Captain’s Flame has the more accomplished record and possibly better suit to the sprint trip. Justin Snaith’s filly Red Light Girl returns from a lengthy break and this looks a likely warm-up for the looming Cape season. However, her last two wins have come over the distance and the fact that she gets weight from most of the opposition could see her start her season on a winning note.

After a long break and an extensive revamp of the track, Durbanville opens its doors this Saturday.