Grant van Niekerk to score a double
Tropical Hibiscus looks very hard to beat
Grant van Niekerk is clearly a jockey in form. If he isn’t winning races, he is running a place – which makes the 26-year-old a great rider to follow.
The competitive nature of today’s Kenilworth card suggests the Pick 6 will pay well and Van Niekerk could ride a valuable double for trainer Justin Snaith aboard The Boston Rose in Race 6 and Konkola in Race 7.
The Boston Rose has only missed the first three places once in her nine starts to date and should register a third career win when she lines up in a FM 78 Handicap over 1000m.
Snaith also saddles Omega Force, a three-year-old who has been ultra-consistent over her last four performances – perhaps taking Swingers and boxed Exactas could pay well.
Konkola was a gutsy 0.30-length victor in her latest effort, holding off Solana smartly in a 2000m contest. On that run she could prove one of the safest bets on the card in Race 7, a FM 84 Handicap over 1600m.
She is unbeaten over the course and distance and with respect to the heavy 60.5kg on her back, she has quite a lot in her favour.
She jumps from an advantageous No 6 draw, and has the best form in the field.
Konkola’s main threat should be Adam Marcus-trained Bridal Party who is a 1600m specialist. Her last seven outings over the trip comprise a third, three seconds and four wins!
She is perfectly drawn at No 2 and will carry 4kg less than Konkola – a massive advantage.
Once again take Swingers and Exactas. For Quartets float the pair with Ontenderhooks, Leisure Trip, Philae, Royal Frost and Talitha Borealis.
There was plenty to like about Shadowing’s impressive improvement in his latest effort when narrowly beaten 0.10 lengths into second place by Crown Guardian.
This Var colt should leave the maiden ranks when he runs in Race 2, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m. He reunites with long time collaborator M J Byleveld and on recent form should have the better of this field.
The best bet on the card is Patrick Kruyer-trained Tropical Hibiscus in Race 1, a Fillies Maiden Juvenile Place over 1000m.
She showed tons of potential on debut, falling just 1.50 lengths behind a progressive sort in Santa Clara.
This daughter of Elusive Fort appears well above average and is a worthy BiPot banker.