Afdeek and Billy Silver go for gold
FRANCE TO COMMINGLE: BET INTO BIG POOLS
With the Cape Summer of Champions feature-race season well underway, an influx of talented horses from around the country are in Cape Town with hopes of big-race glory.
Some such horses will be on display at Kenilworth today and it could be a case of third-time lucky for Afdeek, a three-year-old gelding whose consistency could be rewarded when he lines up in Race 4, a Maiden Plate over 1400m.
This Mike de Kock-trained son of Exceed And Excel hasn’t been disgraced in his two starts to date, finishing second on debut, beaten 0.25 lengths into second by The Tin Man, and then again finishing only 0.30 lengths shy of the winner in his most recent outing. That recent performance suggests the step up in trip should suit and any concerns regarding running around the bend for the first time should be soothed by No 4 draw in this six-horse field.
Afdeek is the only runner De Kock will saddle on the day so he’s definitely not in Cape Town to view the scenery. De Kock sent one horse to Greyville a few weeks back and that horse, Sir David Baird, made light work of his opposition. Afdeek is worth a win bet.
Exciting news is that South African punters can bet into enormous pools for certain races at this meeting because France will be commingling with TAB. The bets involved are the Win, Exacta and Trifecta pools on Races 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10.
Best race to get involved could Race 9 over 1200m where Denis Bosch-trained Billy Silver will reunite with long-time collaborator Anthony Delpech. He didn’t settle when beaten 4.05 lengths into fourth behind Tap O’ Noth in the Cape Classic (Grade 3) over 1400m last time.
This three-year-old son of Silvano is unbeaten over 1200m and could prove better than his current merit rating of 91. He will shoulder 60.5kg, 1kg more than his biggest danger Bobby Dazzler who is in pursuit of his third consecutive victory.
The Swinger and Exacta could be the way to play and for Quartets, float the two with Magic Sailor, Bad Attitude, Nasty Harry and Viking Voyage.