Katrina set to storm home in the Cape

Ken Nicol

Gimme Katrina is expected to love the step up to 1200m, and stands out as the best bet when Cape Town racing returns to Kenilworth on Saturday.

This Gimmethegreenlight filly was bred by Snaith Racing themselves, and so far all of her seven starts have been over the minimum trip.

She has virtually always run on late into the money, as a record of a win and five places would suggest. The extra 200m should see her finally get there in time, and rising star Grant van Niekerk will give expert assistance from the saddle in Race 6.

The main threat could come from the bottom of the weights. Young apprentice Sandile Mbhele still claims 4kg, but has made a good impression in the short time since he arrived in Cape Town.

His mount Empire Rising carries a postage stamp 49kg, is effective over this trip, and should be in the shake up. But some kind of money chance can be given to all seven runners in a competitive contest once you look beyond Gimme Katrina.

Mbhele also provides an attractive looking value bet in in Race 7, on the card.

Viking Voyage has an excellent course and distance record, and can be excused a rare flat effort last time after a rest.

With a handy 56kg he should be mighty competitive if racing close to the pace as usual, and would be a narrow first choice.

There are plenty of challengers though, and chief among them is lightly raced Bwana. He didn’t seem comfortable round the turn at Durbanville, but has won two of three down the Kenilworth 1200m straight, and is sure to put in a bold effort.

Taking Swingers and Exactas with these two will return a decent payout if successful.

Strongest race of the day is Race 5, a Progress Plate for females over 1400m. All six acceptors are three-yearolds, and things are complicated by the fact that virtually all are prepping for forthcoming feature races.

Candice Bass-Robinson sends out a classy trio, of whom distance-suited Freedom Charter makes most appeal, although Rings And Things is very well weighted.

Justin Snaith saddles the two top weights, and both Platinum Class and Miss Katalin can be given a decent shout despite both carrying 61kg.