Villa Del Largo the one to beat
MANY punters will remember the days when Hear The Drums dominated the sprint races at Fairview and Arlington.
When you saw the name of Hear The Drums on the card, you knew there was at least one banker to structure your bets on.
Well, it seems as if Villa Del Largo has taken over that role. The seven-year-old gelding will be looking for his fifth win in a row in the Glendore Sprint at Fairview today.
Villa Del Largo also won this race last year, while Hear The Drums was the winner in 2009 and 2010.
Choppies McLachlan trained Hear The Drums, and Villa Del Largo is also in his care at the Fairview satellite stable of Cape Town trainer Justin Snaith.
It will not be an easy task for Villa Del Largo. He has to carry a hefty 62.5kg, but is in prolific form and will be a popular banker yet again.
Last week, we hit the Place Accumulator 12 times. With the help of Villa Del Largo we could be on target again. For Bipot players it is a difficult start. Someone clearly did not think of the punters when they filled the first leg of this bet with two-year-old first timers.
The word is that Singita Sunset is the right one, but it would be brave to start with a banker in this one.
There should be a nice vibe at the track because it is that time of the year when companies combine a day at the races with the year-end function.
We had some interesting scenes last Friday when an insurance company had their party, and the SA Air Force Association will continue the festive mood with their charity race day this week.
Tomorrow sees the start of the popular summer racing season in Cape Town. It is also the start of the build-up to the Met.
This race has a new sponsor and the prize money will be R5-million for the first time when it takes place at Kenilworth at the end of January.
Tomorrow, the Fillies Guineas, Green Point Stakes and Merchants will be full of quality.
Punters’ Pal tips:
Fairview:
PA R 450
1-8-14/1-14/1-3-9/1-3-5-7-9/1/7/1-4-5-6-13
PICK 6 R 792
1-5-14/1-2-3-9/1-2-3-5-7-9/1/7/1-2-3-4-5-6-9 -10-11-12-13