Another challenging Pick 6 awaits punters
PICK 6 players have found the going really tough at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth recently and today’s race meeting at the Cape Town track again includes a number of very challenging races, particularly the last two events on the 8race programme. Bankers are at a premium but perhaps our choices for the sixth race, a Progress Plate over 1400m, can be narrowed to Port Louis and Coastal Commander, who share favouritism in the ante-post market.
Port Louis
In receipt of 6kgs from Port Louis, my slight preference lies with Coastal Commander but he has not raced since finishing fourth in the 2000m SplashOut Cape Derby (Gr 1) two months ago, whereas Port Louis’ current form is strong and his fitness levels not in question. Prior to the Derby, Coastal Commander ran second in the richly-endowed Gold Rush over 1600m and it’s quite possible that 1400m may be on the sharp side for the son of Lancaster Bomber these days, but off bottom weight he does make plenty of appeal.
Port Louis was a good second behind Rascallion in the recent Variety Club Mile but he is equally at home over this trip and from a handy draw should make a bold bid for top honours. He has not won a race for 442 days but his form is solid and the 4yo son of Gimmethegreenlight is overdue his fourth career victory. His stable companions, Zil Moris and Zoomie, are not entirely without winning chances but Richard
Fourie’s strike rate for Brett Crawford is impressive by any standard and Port Louis could be the pick of Crawford’s trio.
The first race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1400m, could turn out to be a match between Dixieland Band and Babelicious. With the advantage of a better draw and the services of Fourie, I am leaning towards Dixieland Band but both must be included in the opening leg of the Bipot. Pentolina can show marked improvement from her debut run and may be considered for larger permutations.
Justin Snaith sends out the very wellbred debutante, Bela Vista, in the second race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1100m, and she has been priced up favourite in the early market exchanges. She comes up against the older and more experienced Tequila Sky, who has finished runner-up in her last three starts and is well overdue a visit to the winner’s enclosure.
Pink Moon
Pink Moon would have needed her last run after a lengthy break and has plenty of scope for improvement.
The opening leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden Plate over 1600m, could go the way of the fast-improving Amancio. The son of Silvano was narrowly behind Etoilefillante two months ago but that was only Amancio’s second start and he can turn the tables here. Etoilefillante rates an obvious threat along with Daimyo and Azzuri and, to a lesser extent, Prince of Tibet.
The fourth race is an Open Maiden over 1800m and the race is ripe for an upset result. Early favourite, Kwite A King, has been withdrawn and in his absence I fancy the chances of long-time maiden, Lockheedlightning, as an each way selection. Apache Chief ’s last run can be safely ignored and Eric Sands’ runner will go better here, while of Nocturnal Flight, Juan Les Pins and Red Rackham are capable of winning this modest contest.
The fifth race is a low grade Class 5 Handicap (F&M) over 1400m which sees a re-match between Grandiosa and Veronique. At the weights there should be little to choose between the pair while Fly To Rio can never be discarded in this type of race. The maiden Ticking Bomb is an interesting runner but her form suggests she could be competitive. United We Stand and Little Miss Pink have some claims and must be respected. Veronique is my narrow first choice but she will need to reproduce her best form to come out on top.
The seventh race, a Middle Stakes (F&M) over 1100m is extremely competitive and punters will need to cast their nets as wide as possible.
The eighth race, a Class 5 Handicap over 1100m with an average merit rating of 60, is another very difficult race with the potential to produce a “bomb” result.
Wordsworth
Wordsworth has been placed in his last three outings and should go well again but he is just a two-time winner from 52 starts – a clear indication of his limitations. Why Not Jackie won well three weeks ago but has never been the most consistent filly around and Whiskey Bravo can progress further after showing some improvement in his most recent start. Not an easy end to the race meeting!