The day started well then got tough for punters
WITH rain causing problems to racing on the Highveld and Saturday’s meeting moved to Sunday punters have had a quiet time this week and after a promising start to the meeting which saw the well backed Cold Cash winning Race 1 and Polly Wolly Doodle being successful for favourite backers in Race 3 (both for jockey Gavin Lerena) the results took a turn for the worse for favourite backers.
Surprise winner Three Kingdoms for trainer Craig Mayhew and jockey Ryan Munger in Race 4 was followed up 8/1 The Smell Of Rain in Race 5 and Yellow Metal in Race 6.
Punters had a far better day at Kenilworth on Saturday with favourites having a good day and winning five of the nine races with the Anton Marcus and trainer Joey Ramsden scoring nicely with a treble.
The Querari filly Made In Hollywood was an unlucky loser on debut and was the deserved favourite for Race 2 and she proved to be far too good for her rivals.
The two-year-old was just off the early running but was soon to take it up going to the final 400m and quickly put daylight between herself and the balance of the field.
Queen Moira kept on for the runner-up berth and the well supported Esteemal doing good work in third place.
The scratching of decent Australian-bred Lord Balmoral seemed to make Brutal Force the likely winner and he was supported into odds on.
Captain Alfredo scampered a few lengths clear of Brutal Force and was still travelling well 300m from home but tired very late and in a close finish Marcus and Brutal Force got to the line ahead of Captain Alfredo and Rodney.
Professor Brian won another nice race when taking out Race 6 but it was stable companion Just Sensual who caught the eye on the day as she bounced back to form with a good win.
The Marcus ridden filly won Race 7, The Vasco Taverna Prix du Cap (Grade 3) over 1600m with a well-timed finish, scoring from Captains Flame and a running on Gimme Six.