Lady to turn up the power again
CONDITIONS: LIGHT WEIGHT AND BEST HANDICAPPED, 2023 FILLIES GUINEAS CHAMP HARD TO BEAT
Secretariat Stakes ushers in three-year-old Winter Series.
Racing today takes place at both Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and Hollywoodbets Greyville. The KwaZulu-Natal meeting sees the running of the Grade 2 World Sports Betting 1900, which is historically one of the main pointers to the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
This year sees a really decent field assembly and I am riding Safe Passage, who would need to win this or run really well to qualify for the main one.
Without Question, who ran third in the WSB Cape Town Met, and an early fancy of mine, heads up this field. He looks really well handicapped and I think he sets the standard.
Atticus Finch is having his third run after a rest and jumps from pole position. He too would need to win in order to qualify for the July, so you can expect him to be close to spot on.
On the day I have some really nice rides and in my opinion my best ride comes up in Race 1, Sorceress Supreme, and I’ll be really disappointed if she doesn’t win.
Her form is the best on offer and she sets the standard, so I’ll be expecting her to kickstart the day for us.
Last weekend was supposed to see the running of the Grade 2 WSB Guineas, WSB Fillies Guineas and the Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes.
Unfortunately, after the scratching of Main Defender due to him being above the TCO2 testing limit, the meeting had to be abandoned after a protest in the parade ring, which made it impossible for racing to continue.
This was unfortunate and it was a real pity we couldn’t finish the meeting but the three features were added to the midweek Wednesday meeting and it provided us with some fantastic racing.
Royal Aussie managed to secure the Drill Hall Stakes from an unlucky Cousin Casey. That saw him start his KZN season off with a bang and he has thrown his hat into the ring as a horse to be followed for the season.
Well done to Justin Snaith, all the owners and to Richard Fourie on a lovely win.
Rascova provided somewhat of an upset when upstaging Double Grand Slam who looked the proverbial good thing in the Fillies Guineas.
After getting the lead, she showed guts and to fight off the favourite who is a highclass individual.
It was a good effort from Glen Kotzen’s runner and an excellent ride from Craig Zackey.
Green With Envy cemented his place as the Hollywoodbets Durban July favourite with a sensational win in the Guineas.
Coming from last, he produced a superb finish to gun down Sandringham Summit, who ran a cracker as well.
This would have been the most difficult race for him to win, being over 1600m, but he showed Greyville won’t be an issue and his supporters can start following him with confidence.
It gave Craig a Guineas double and trainer Dean Kannemeyer looks set for a big season with this Khaya Stables-owned runner.
Last week also saw me have a couple of winners but the horse I would take out of them is the beautiful colt I rode for Joe Soma, Believe In Fate, who won extremely comfortably at the second time of asking.
He gave me an unreal feel and has all the attributes to be very competitive at a high level so follow him closely through the season.
Now on to tomorrow’s card at Turffontein where racing is on the Inside track. The headliner is the Listed Secretariat Stakes over 1450m, which now forms part of the inaugural three-year-old Winter Series.
This is Leg 1, while Legs 2 and 3 are the Egoli Mile and the Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m.
A bonus of R500,000 will be paid to the connections of any horse who can win all three legs, which is really exciting.
Race 1 is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1600m and in my opinion the best bet on the card comes up in the form of Oxalis Gold, who looks well above average and will take all the beating.
Her last start was a good run considering she had to drop back in trip but this will suit her down to the ground and I’ll be disappointed if she doesn’t win, and win well.
The Crown has run two good races and on exposed form rates the main danger.
Messalina ran slightly below form in her latest outing but gets to jump from pole position and should run into the money.
Rainbow River returns from a small break but has some nice form and can also run into the money.
Race 2 is a Maiden Plate over 1600m and Panning Gold should take all the beating and prove a difficult horse to beat.
He ran a superb race last time, running second to a very classy sort, and also had Mount Pinatubo, who ran second in the SA Nursery prior to that run, behind him, so the form is strong and he should get into the winners’ enclosure.
Karoo Gold was very disappointing last time but drops back in trip and that could make the difference.
American Rebel ran a very good race last time which was much improved from his previous efforts and a repeat of that will see him right there at the finish.
Race 3 is a Novice Handicap over 1600m and this is a competitive field so go as wide as the budget allows.
Mount Darwin carries top weight, is still very unexposed and could be anything. He won well on debut but subsequently disappointed and if the step up in trip is what he is looking for, he could be the horse to beat.
Miss Scaletta was extremely impressive on debut and while it’s not easy for a twoyear-old filly to take on older colts and geldings, she needs to be respected.
Mocha Frappe won a nice race last time out could be well handicapped.
Golden Pavilion ran a good race last time out and a repeat of that will see him right there at the finish.
Race 4 is a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m and I ride Lady Of Power who I make the value bet on the card - and my best ride too.
This filly won the Gauteng Guineas over this trip and she comes in as the best weighted horse by at least 2kg.
Her light weight of 50kg is why I like her so much and if I can get a decent run in trip, I expect her to take all the beating.
Bingwa won a very good race last time out and rates the class horse and the main danger. Forever Mine ran a much better race last time and should come in at peak fitness, being his third run after a rest and he must be respected.
Scallywag won well last time out and off a light weight can be included in wider bets.
Race 5 is a MR 86 Handicap for behind him over 1800m and I ride Rosy Lemon who won a really good race with me last time out. It’s a similar field, so I am hoping for a massive run because I believe I am one of the main contenders.
Kadizora ran a lovely race last time even though she finished 10th. She was only beaten five lengths and the winner went on to win the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks.
She is well handicapped and the horse to beat.
Special Charm is ever consistent, and another honest run can be expected so include her in wider bets.
I Am Regal was slightly disappointing last time out after a good win and if she bounces back, she is a definite runner.
Race 6 is a MR 72 Handicap for behind him over 1800m and I ride Damova who is having her third run after a rest and her last run was much improved.
She should strip even fitter and will come in cherry ripe so a very good run can be expected.
Dimako’s Jet ran a really good race last time out and she remains relatively unexposed. I think she is the horse to beat as further improvement can still be expected.
Be Real drops drastically in class and gets the assistance of Piere Strydom from the saddle, so she is one that must go into all bets.
Crimson Forest has claims on best form and can go into bets.
Race 7 is the headliner on the card, the Listed Secretariat Stakes over 1450m and I ride Max The Magician who has been really disappointing, considering the potential he showed as a young horse.
He has now been gelded which could make all the difference so I’ll be hoping for an improved effort.
Presley sets the standard on his best form. He didn’t see out the SA Derby trip but he wasn’t disgraced either. This is a drop back in trip and class and on that he is the horse we all have to beat.
Sabre Strike ran a really good race in only his second start, showing he has loads of ability.
He is still unexposed and could be anything, so he must go into all bets.
Warhawk Bomber and Command Pilot were both disappointing in their latest starts but both have shown they are well above average, so they must be included in wider bets.
The same applies to Emporium who drops back in trip which I believe will suit.
Race 8 is a MR 96 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1450m and I ride Rani Of Kittur who will love the step up in trip and I’m expecting a far better run from a filly with lots of ability, so include her in all bets.
Just Be Lekker ran a really good race last time and should love the step up in trip, so she rates the horse we all have to beat.
Vix Princess has some lovely form and off a good draw is the main danger and must go into all bets.
Good Queen Bess is consistent and another good run can be expected.
Woman Of Power steps up in trip but personally, I’m not sure if it will suit her, so I can’t give you any confidence.
Race 9 is a MR 78 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1450m and Ceuta looks the filly they all have to beat after a really impress maiden win. Even though it wasn’t the strongest field, all she could do is win and she did so in good fashion.
Sound Machine was very disappointing last time after a really outstanding win. If you put a line through that, and she repeats her previous run, she’ll be right there.
Alphabetty gets blinkers fitted and could be value off a good draw.
Courageous has good form and if she can overcome the draw, she’ll be right there.
BEST BET
Race 1 No 7 Oxalis Gold
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 6 Lady Of Power
PICK 6
R750
Leg 1: 6
Leg 2: 1, 2,3, 4, 5,6, 7,8, 9, 10
Leg 3: 1, 2,3, 4, 6
Leg 4: 1, 3,6, 7, 9
Leg 5: 2,3, 7
Leg 6: 4