Clouds are gathering over Kenilworth

A pair of Graded feature races for three-year-olds will light up Kenilworth tomorrow, as the Cape season starts to get into full swing.

The fairer sex take centre stage with the level weights Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship.

Drakenstein-owned and bred Clouds Unfold would be the first selection. She quickened impressively to give the colts a good hiding in the Grade 3 Kenilworth Nursery in May.

While the opposition has turned out to not be the best, she still looked every inch a potential fillies’ classic winner. From an inside draw Candice Bass-Robinson’s star looks the one to beat if ready after over four months off.

Glen Kotzen’s Temple Grafin is the other proven class of the race, after her Grade 3 Debutante win at Greyville at the end of last season. A naturally pacey type, she will be there for free from the one stall gate.

She faded out in her only previous try beyond sprints, but should get this trip easily on pedigree, and has to be taken extremely seriously.

Front And Centre was priced up favourite in the early betting, and has been super impressive in both starts. Anton Marcus’ mount has quickened fluently to score easily both times against far weaker, and should have plenty more to come. She has to be a huge danger as well. Canukeepitsecret, Coral Bay, Santa Clara, Nous Voila and Varsity Lover can all be considered for the upset in what looks a top class renewal of this well-established race.

The Grade 3 Cape Classic over the same trip is for the colts, and Drakenstein could have a red letter day, as their Clouded Hill is taken to bring home the spoils.

After two ultra-impressive wins here, he failed to quicken at Durbanville, but deserves another chance, especially with Anton Marcus up.

Top-weight Twist Of Fate is the only one here who can boast a Grade 1 place, and despite the widest draw can be expected to be making a bold bid late on.

Sean Tarry-trained Cirillo should finish close to him on their meeting in the Premiers Champion Stakes in July, and is another to be included.

Unbeaten Pleasedtomeetyou is another to consider, but may turn out to be a sprinter, as could Elusive Trader.

The fact that Snaith stable jockey Richard Fourie chooses Seventh Sea is significant, and he is another quite capable of popping up.

TAB Double of the day: 1 Bernie (Race 2) and 3 Clouds Unfold (Race 6).