ROMAGNA RATED TO WIN IN CAPE
Needs to overcome wide draw
TRAINER Mike Bass entered Romagna for the Winter Oaks but she did not make the final lineup so it is a bit surprising she has now been asked to run over a shorter distance. Nevertheless, she could still be the right one in Race 7, a MR 76 Handicap over 1600m at Kenilworth today.
The Caesour filly showed promise early in her career but has not lived up to that potential. Jockey Grant van Niekerk seems to get the best out of her and she should be very competitive off her 75 merit rating.
There are many runners who could be lively dangers. Navasha is also drawn wide but did get a much-deserved maiden win out of the way last time when beating Dontknowhy. Elusive Stars is well drawn and was a wellbacked winner of her latest start. A 1.5kg penalty might not be enough to prevent another win from her. Chanukah and Waning Cresecent are two others who have to be respected.
Punters can get off to a winning start with Rock On Wood in the opening event a Maiden Plate over 1400m. Rock On Wood was very unlucky when narrowly beaten in both her last two starts and if jockey MJ Byleveld can keep her handy from his good draw then she could prove too good for rivals Rustar Dhow and Cavalleria.
Race 2 looks competitive and luck in running could be the deciding factor. Captain Bagg was full of running when thrashing Buckinghampshire last time out. He is, however, a tricky customer to ride and Al Wahed is also a speedy type who could put him under pressure early.
That could set up the race for a late challenge from Northern Corner and Olympian.
Drop The Pilot and Possibly Me look the two runners most likely to fight out the finish of Race 4, a Maiden Plate over 1200m. Possibly Me was finding her best stride late when narrowly beaten by Kwando.
Kwando is only a modest filly and the form of that run is suspect so Drop The Pilot could have the stronger form in the book. The Gimmethegreenlight filly improved nicely in her second start when runner-up to Reine Tonnerre. Jockey Aldo Domeyer rides this Greg Ennion-trained filly.
Ennion also trains Chrome Blue who should have more than a sporting chance of winning Race 6, a MR 79 Handicap over 1800m. Chrome Blue was caught on the line by stable companion Jeremy last time out over 2000m and is just as good over this slightly shorter distance.
Justin Snaith-trained Glenton looks the chief threat to him.