Wolfgang has some solid credentials
WOLFGANG made a promising debut at Hollywoodbets Scottsville recently and can build on that efforts with a bold showing in the first at Hollywoodbets Greyville today. The form of that race has proved solid with second placed Impressive Duchess winning by eight lengths at Flamingo Park on Monday and third-placed Shango winning for Sean Tarry and is among the nominations for the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes in a fortnight’s time.
Given that form, the 33-10 on offer with Track & Ball look fairly generous about Dean Kannemeyer’s charge, especially as the stable is on hot form at present.
Nearest market rival and ante-post favourite at 3-1 is Johan Janse van Vuuren’s gelding Gladstone. A closeup third in both recent starts on the Turffontein inside track, Van Vuuren obviously feels that he has not got the best out of his charge and has declared first-time blinkers.
Both horses make their poly debut but given the depth of Wolfgang’s form and barring a ‘springer’ he is a confident selection.
She’s A Crusade
She’s A Crusade in a 900m specialist, the final 100m having found her out in her last four starts. She has been beaten by some fairly progressive fillies so back on the poly from a plum draw she can finally get it right for Corrine Bestel and is worth another chance.
Opensea was another to let the side down when favourite at his last start, but the 1 950m appeared to test his stamina and he was caught one-paced over the final two furlongs, but staying on for fourth.
Gavin van Zyl has dropped him back to 1400m today and with blinkers on for the first time his supporters will be looking to him to recoup some of their losses.
But it will not be easy. Knight Warrior has not been out of the money in his four starts, the last two runner-up when starting favourite.
Dennis Bosch has booked Richard Fourie for the ride and these two could fight it out.
Hidden Influence is no stranger to the poly track, his last win coming over the course and distance of the fourth.
He has had two starts since, both times finishing behind Via Salaria, but the addition of blinkers could see him improve enough to put one over his rivals that include recent winner Celebration Rock who found form with first-time cheek-pieces and Born To Perform who possibly found his last start over 1 950m on the turf beyond his compass. Both wins have come on the poly and the drop to 1 400m could see him back to form.
Nathan Kotzen saddled a double at Scottsville on Sunday and just how Hidden Influence in the previous race fares could shed some light on the chances of his charge Donnan in the fifth.
Donnan finished ahead of Hidden Influence when both were beaten by Via Salaria but the former takes a drop in class.
That has pushed him to the top of the handicap and he has to conceded 1kg to Pantsula who has backed up the Hidden Influence form.
Travelling Light made short work of her opposition on debut which seemingly put her in with a fair chance in the Gr1 Alan Robertson Championship. She was never travelling that day although a subsequent examination by the course vet didn’t shed any light.
She is obviously much better than that showing and could prove a cut above the opposition in the sixth where an obvious threat will be Kom Naidoo’s charge Satara who found form in blinkers at her last start behind the seasoned campaigner Winter Blues who was winning his sixth race.
Silva’s Bullet
Silva’s Bullet has been costly to follow and again found one too good for him in the Highveld raider American Indian last time out.
Kannemeyer has dropped him down to a mile today but he faces three smart three-year-olds in Triple Fate Line, Cat Daddy and Mr Greenlight, either of who could give their older rival another stich.
Triple Fate Line was not far back to the progressive Mastagambit over course and distance last time out while Cat Daddy comes off a recent victory over GG’S Dynasty and Mr Greenlight caught the eye behind GG’S Dynasty prior to that.
Blue Flower didn’t do this column any favours when down the field last time out, but Andre Nel’s runner could be better suited to the step up in trip today although she can hardly be labelled a safe bet in a field where the form is a little thin.