Caprera to land the odds
DEAN Kannemeyer got his new season kick-started at Scottsville on Sunday and Caprera can get the ball rolling a little faster in the first at Greyville today.
Caprera made a smart debut over course and distance when second to Lotsa Silver and is surprisingly easy to back at 17-10 with Track & Ball in spite of that showing.
Lickerio is rated top by Computaform but Caprera is rated 34 notches above his market rival in the speed ratings which looks a more realistic assessment.
Lickerio
Lickerio put in two smart efforts on the poly before trying the turf last time out where he never got in a blow.
Back on the synthetic surface he is likely to find his better form and does look the most obvious threat.
Anton Marcus is an astute judge of form one of the few top riders without an agent.
So, when he phones for a ride the trainer generally knows that they have one of the major contenders and Marcus has picked the plums today with Lickerio in the first and Glen Kotzen has pencilled him in for Keep It Real (5-4) in the second.
The daughter of Kildonan was allowed to ease up over the last two furlongs of her barrier trial but followed up with a good second on debut to Making Waves, the latter following up on her bold showing in her barrier trial with victory on debut.
Making Waves
Close-up behind Making Waves in the trial was Ambra who makes her debut proper for Dennis Drier and Tristan Godden stays with the ride.
She could well make winning debut. With African Horse Sickness restrictions still in place on horses returning to the Western Cape, Justin Snaith is likely to be around for a little longer than he possibly expected and Captain Courteous (1410) can finally pay for his winter season excursion to KZN in the third.
The six-year-old has improved with every run of late and looks primed for this.
Marcus has also picked up on the form and will be aboard although he will need to work for his crust in a competitive handicap. Gadget Man, Drageda and recent winner Amor Ardiente will be no push-overs while Princess Peach was close-up behind Captain Courteous when last they met over course and distance.
The list of possible winners for the fourth includes the entire field but the two most likely candidates are Miss Milanna and Township Melody.
Miss Milanna has shown her best form on the poly and Township Melody won well over a sprint last time out and should be good enough to step up in trip from a plum inside draw.
Class Act
The Durban View Restaurant Handicap is a bit of a punter’s mine field but Class Act has had the form of her last race franked and she goes well over course and distance.
It’s 3-1 the field for the sixth but Bridal Veil steps up to a trip over which she could prove better suited and she does well on the poly.
Doug Campbell and Marcus will be hoping for a double with ante-post favourite Stand By Me (2-1) in the seventh but Silvan Saint could prove a match.
Mike Miller’s charge is lightly raced and appears to have taken to the poly like many an older horse. His last run is best ignored .
Chatty Cathy was touched off at her last start and can round off proceedings for Julie Dittmer. Josephine Baker and Bold Beauty look pick of the balance.