Beerenberg (far side) seen dead-heating with Superior Leader in September last year, has a chance in tomorrow’s headliner at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, a class 3 handicap over 1250m (Wayne Marks).
Mark van Deventer
Miss Marguerite takes a helpful drop in class and reverts back to 1000m – a cagey, combination move by trainer Piet Steyn which makes her competitive at tempting odds in Race 7 at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
Well performed as a juvenile, the daughter of Master of My Fate was pitched high early at three in the Fillies Championships, Fillies Guineas and Sceptre Stakes. Those assignments were beyond her, and she failed to make an impact. These are much calmer waters, however and she ought to go nicely off a reduced merit rating (93 – 84) from a favourable draw of 2, racing handily.
The capable and consistent, Distinction will be rushing through late but on a line through Who do You Love back in June ’22 could find it tough to get past Miss Marguerite. Snaith trained stablemate, Hunting Trip has a shake too, whilst the zippy, She’s My Captain and promising Enemy Territory are others to take seriously.
On a tricky card, Tab bettors and P6 bettors might chance their luck and go short in Race 5, a 1600m Maiden. Here Kelp Forest and Hawk Circle seem poised to record their first wins. The latter has performed steadily since being gelded and fitted with blinkers – maybe Grant van Niekerk’s flair can prove decisive. Main rival, Kelp Forest is progressing at each outing and rates a principal candidate off an encouraging recent 1600m try.
The headliner, a Class 3 over 1250m is carded as Race 8. There are no hopeless cases amongst the nine, evenly matched entries. Smart, Erupt gelding Beerenberg is certainly due a change of fortune but needs things to go his way given his swooping-off-the-pace style. The erratic, Barzalona is another able to finish powerfully when all parts are in working order; Sugar Mountain is talented and versatile whilst Double Charge is rounding ominously back to form.
Race 9, a Class 5 sprint is another brain teaser. Axl is the most obvious pick at this level if Robert Khathi (riding well in KZN) can overcome draw 9. Masked Vigilante is a big rating dropper with course form racing fresh and Kimball O’Hara has scope after being rested and gelded.
