Candice is Ontenderhooks in a competitive handicap

Ken Nicol

Top of the bill on the final Durbanville card for a few months tomorrow is a MR 96 over 2000m. As is usual for handicaps at this level, entries are sparse and only five go to post.

It looks a competitive affair, though, and riding tactics will have a big say in the final outcome – especially as there is no regular pacemaker in the line-up.

Ontenderhooks would be a tentative first choice, despite taking on males. The Mauritzfonteinowned Dynasty filly has tried this kind of trip only once, when staying on for fifth in the Winter Oaks.

She made a highly promising return from a short rest when scoring fluently over 1600m here at FM 90 level and, with Richard Fourie up and carrying 55kg, should be highly competitive – especially as the Candice Bass-Robinson outfit is hitting some form.

Top weight Kampala Campari is the obvious class act and the Andre Nel stable is another that has been going from strength to strength this season.

It won’t be easy with 62kg, but Kampala Campari stays the trip and certainly wasn’t disgraced when less than three lengths off undefeated Rainbow Bridge in the Matchem recently.

The other female, Baroness Mary, is another to seriously consider. She stayed on well to finish 2.50 lengths off Ontenderhooks last time out, even though she needed it, and is far better over this trip. She should be right there, despite being 1.5kg under sufferance.

The top bet on the day looks to be another Nel runner, Vikram in the last.

The Gimmethegreenlight colt has placed behind highly rated sorts in both his previous outings and from an inside draw should exit the maiden ranks this time.

Greg Ennion’s Dharma flew up late on debut and has been gelded since. Going for Swingers and Exactas with these two looks a sure way to end the day on a profitable note.

TAB double of the day: 2 Grand Silvano (Race 5) and 11 Vikram (Race 8).