Tyrion Lannister’s hat trick bid
THE Cape Turf Club Syndicates Class 3 Handicap over 1400m heads the 9-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon and the much-improved Tyrion Lannister will be seeking to round off a hat-trick of victories for trainer Piet Botha and the Dare to Dream Racing Syndicate.
Fibonacci
In his penultimate start over the track and trip Tyrion Lannister beat Fibonacci by nearly a length and now meets Vaughan Marshall’s runner on 5,5kgs worse terms which should be more than enough for Fibonacci to turn the tables on Tyrion Lannister. But in the their most recent encounter Tyrion Lannister finished comfortably clear of Fibonacci, suggesting that Tyrion Lannister is a very much on an upward curve. But that most recent race was over 1600m and Fibonacci may be more effective over today’s 1400m and it would be unwise to completely ignore his chances.
Cheeky Laddie, Aspect, Magic Verse and Hat’s Pride are worthy of respect. Cheeky Laddie is gradually dropping to a mark off which he could be competitive while Aspect has been in terrific form and has won his last three starts over this course and distance. From pole position and with just 54kgs to shoulder, Aspect can be expected to make another bold bid for top honours. Hat’s Pride has run against some of the best around but may find it tough to concede weight all round.
In summary, Tyrion Lannister appears to have a touch of class and is given the benefit of the doubt to land his fifth career victory in a competitive heat but he is unlikely to have matters all his own way. JP van der Merwe has ridden Tyrion Lannister in his last three starts, but he is contractually obliged to ride Magic Verse and Grant Van Niekerk rides the 3yo son of Royal Mo for the very first time.
The first race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1200m, is due off at 12:05 and the well-bred Artiste is expected to show good improvement on her promising debut. Interestingly though, Louis Mxothwa, who usually has the choice of rides for the Brett Crawford yard, is aboard the stable companion Sweetsummerlove on debut and any market support for the daughter of Querari must be respected.
Eight On Eighteen
The Bipot gets under away in the second race, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, and Eight On Eighteen will be the popular choice. He finished second on debut four weeks ago and on the evidence of that form the Justin Snaith-trained son of Lancaster Bomber should have the measure of the Greg Ennion-trained Surge Of Power who was more than two lengths adrift of Eight On Eighteen. Ennion also saddles Late December who caught the eye when third on debut behind O’Tenikwa.
Charlotte Bronte, half-sister to the Champion Charles Dickens, is gradually finding her feet and she should give a good account of herself in the third race, an Open Maiden over 1400m. Tom’s Diner, Congressman and Tsunami Waring are the immediate dangers while Golden Grey should be considered for Trifecta and Quartet permutations.