Snaith and Fourie are a winning combination
THE JUSTIN SNAITH-RICHARD FOURIE combination has won ten races at the first four Cape Town meetings of the season and the pair can take three of the first four at Kenilworth tomorrow.
Clouded Hill made a big impression when romping home over three lengths clear on his second start.
He led over a furlong out in a field of 15 and drew right away to win easily with Grant van Niekerk singing his praises. He opened favourite at 11-10 and looks the one they all have to beat.
The two negatives are that the ground that day was soft – softer than it will be tomorrow despite last night’s rain – and that those behind have not advertised the form.
Snaith fields the second and third favourites Clipper Captain (3-1) and Seventh Sea (7-2) who have both finished in front of 11-2 chance Mr Crumford on their most recent starts. The Brett Crawford runner looked as if he might be something special when scoring impressively on his second start but he has not, so far at any rate, quite lived up to that promise.
Juniper Spring
Juniper Spring, a Captain Al full sister to Snowdance, also has a reputation to justify but she may do so in the TAB Telebet Maiden even though the form of her third to Durty Nelly took a knock when second-placed Vomandla could manage only fifth when favourite six days ago.
The selection is 19-10 favourite but the interesting ones in the World Sports Betting market are the Crawford newcomers Almost Captured and Front And Centre who are quoted at 28-10 and 5-1.
Corne Orffer rides the former, a Captain Al filly, while Front And Centre is ridden by Anton Marcus as she carries the Ridgemont colours. Much like Water Spirit who went close last Saturday, this daughter of Dynasty came under the hammer from Highlands (as Hillary’s Wish) at the Cape Premier Sale not long after the stud was sold to Ridgemont, was knocked down to Crawford (for R300 000) and the new owners then changed her name. She is a half-sister to Potala Palace.
Angel’s Trumpet caused a surprise in last Saturday’s Pinnacle but the form reads well and the handicappers have been lenient with her, only raising her by a kilo. Snaith goes for a quick follow-up in the Betting World Handicap and Fourie’s mount should collect.
Run To Denmark was nominated as a Winning Ways horse to follow after running on strongly on debut at Durbanville and may prove best in the Tabonline Maiden.
The Andre Nel runner is 19-10 favourite although he is no certainty – Durbanville maiden form is not on a par with that at Kenilworth. Note 33-10 shot Carlas Mambo and Marcus’s mount Northern Spy even though he is as big as 15-2.