Byleveld knows his mount well
RACING returns to Durbanville in the Western Cape today and low-number draws are normally vital. As a result it will not be easy for Banderos to overcome a wide draw but he is quite capable of winning Race 7, a MR 72 Handicap over 1400m.
The Warm White Night gelding took time to find his best form but his performances this year suggest there could be more wins to come.
Banderos beat Swinging Captain over Kenilworth 1400m in March and followed up with a win over Shout over the same course and distance in April.
A terrible draw for his opponent enabled Shout to get his revenge on Banderos in May.
Jockey MJ Byleveld knows Banderos well and he will also know that he must keep his mount handy or he will struggle to win at this track.
The two who could post the biggest threat to Banderos are Viking Voyage and Winter Trade.
The Trippi four-year-old Viking Voyage has been lightly raced, having only the four starts to date. Viking Voyage is improving and won a tight finish on the Polytrack last month.
This slightly further trip is likely to suit him but he has a horror draw to overcome.
Winter Trade is the class act in the race. The Western Winter gelding was fourth in his latest start behind Solar Night at this track.
He will be giving a lot of weight away to most of the opposition but if one looks back at his recent form there is a narrow win over Zud Wes and that gelding has been in top form recently.
Earlier on the card there could be some decent bets. There are a couple of runners in Race 1 who hold winning chances but it might be worth taking a swinger. Miss Malbec (No 7) and Whispering Light (No 12) have shown some promising form to date and should both be there at the finish.
Trainer Vaughan Marshall has had a very good year so far and Kenny Trix in Race 2 could provide him with another winner. This Philanthropist colt is badly drawn but does have the pace to overcome that obstacle and his raced rivals look only to be modest.
The scratching of Under Milkwood in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, has made it a bit easier for Sandy Bay to get her first win. This Australian-bred filly has very good recent form and only appears to have Miss Hyde to beat.
Sandy Bay has course experience and is suited to this distance but there was only a short-head between the two of them last time out.
Emerald Gal and Figure of Grey should fight out the finish of Race 4 and the better drawn Emerald Gal has gets the vote.