Blue Holly has been tipped to win the last (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)
Following a few days of clear skies, the chances of racing going ahead at Hollywoodbets Durbanville look reasonable, although there are showers forecast for tomorrow. The 10-race programme is scheduled to get under way at 12:15 with the running of a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1000m. The presence of four well-bred debutantes from good draws does muddy the water somewhat, but on form From A Distance appears the one to beat. Runner-up in her last two starts and with Aldo Domeyer aboard, From A Distance appears to be the stable elect and could prove too good for Champagne Kisses, Elizabeth Grace and Timeline. The latter is one to watch out for, as she sports blinkers for the first time and could show significant improvement.
The second race and first leg of the Bipot, the R200 000 Restricted Maiden Plate over 1250m, sees King’s Quest go head-to-head with Captain West and Let It Be Said. But here again there are a few choicely bred newcomers with particular reference to On My Honour, My Archangel and Mr Fox.
Interestingly, Grant Van Niekerk gets off the much improved Let It Be Said to ride My Archangel for the Lucinda Woodruff stable, and any market support must be respected. As we approach race time, the betting could well be the best guide as to how one structures the opening leg of the Bipot.
Cumbre Vieja looks the part in the third race, a Maiden Plate over 1400m. Trained by Vaughan Marshall, the son of Erupt has been knocking loudly at the door and the addition of blinkers to his equipment could see Cumbre Vieja hold sway over Arbitration and the potential improver Commander Green. Cumbre Vieja will be ridden by Sean Veale who has been riding up a storm across the country during the opening weeks of the new Season. Candice Bass-Robinson’s pair, Plus Four and Red Dawn, have the form to be in the mix but are drawn awkwardly.
The opening leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1400m, looks competitive but the extremely well-bred Trippi filly, Little Suzie, should take a step forward from her promising debut when second behind Spoil Yourself at the country course at the beginning of the month. Little Suzie is out of the Met-winning mare Oh Susanna and from pole position she should get the run of the race. Festival Chic, White Waters (blinkers first time) and Pretty Precious have all shown promise while there could be improvement to come from Kortvandraad.
Green Mandarin will be looking to register his fourth consecutive victory when he takes on seven rivals in the sixth race, a Class 3 Handicap over 1800m, and the late-developing 5yo son of Gimmethegreenlight could defy a further 5-point hike in ratings. That said, Blue Bay is weighted to turn the tables on Green Mandarin but has not been seen since April. He is reported to be working well at home and a “competitive” run is expected by the Crawford stable. Otto Luyken is coming back to best form and is another to consider for all permutations.
King Pelles was an unlucky loser last time when beaten a nostril by Sudden Song and he could make amends in the seventh race over 2000m. Prime Venture let us down badly in that same race, but he came away with excuses and should do better here while Midway, a recent Maiden winner, appears to have a lot more improvement to come. The Rafeef filly, Heliotrope, is well handicapped in this Cape C Stakes event and cannot be ignored.
Course and distance suited Veronique is in good form at present and she could prove superior to her limited opposition in the eighth race, a Class 5 Handicap (F&M) over 1250m. The only other previous winner at Durbanville is Protect The Dream, who shed her maiden ticket at the third time of asking, but she may struggle to concede 7kgs to the more seasoned Veronique. These Class 5 Handicaps can produce strange results from time to time, but I am going to take my chances and row in with Veronique, who seems to get on really well with Grant Van Niekerk.
The ninth race on the card is extremely competitive but in the tenth race, a Cape B Stakes over 1000m, I have been waiting for Blue Holly to return to Durbanville where she has won three of her four starts to date over the minimum trip. Blue Holly faces a tough test here against the likes of Dean Street, Porque Te Vas and Franz Lehar but I am happy to take my chances with Blue Holly and suggest that the daughter of Gimmethegreenlight, trained by Glen Kotzen, could be one of the more appealing value bets for the afternoon.
