Holding Thumbs has been tipped to win the 7th. (Picture Wayne Marks).
Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)
The R185 000 Paarl Diamant A Stakes over 2000m heads a 10-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday and a small but competitive field faces the starter at 15:35. Glen Kotzen comes with a two-pronged attack in the form of Holding Thumbs and Blackberry Malt with the former slightly preferred to his stable companion. Sean Veale has partnered Holding Thumbs in his last two starts for a win and a second, but these were over the more testing trip of 2500m. However, Holding Thumbs has shown himself to be a versatile performer and with just 54kgs to shoulder, the 4yo son of Vercingetorix should give plenty of cheek in this evenly matched contest. Blackberry Malt has gone “missing” in his last three starts but is capable of better and could be the source of a surprise result.
Justin Snaith saddles three runners, any of which could end up in the winner’s enclosure. In order of preference, Without Question is the mount of Richard Fourie but the 5yo son of The United States has been without a victory for 656 days and is no longer reliable. He has been given some relief by the handicapper and on best form would have undeniable chance in this line-up. Call To Unite is useful but comes with respiratory issues and does not always perform to expectations. He is ideally distance suited here and cannot be lightly discarded. Navy Strength completes the Snaith trio and, his last run apart, is reasonably consistent. He gets the services of in-form JP van der Merwe and with only 52,5kgs to shoulder the 6yo son of Dynasty warrants a measure of respect.
Brett and James Crawford send out Otto Luyken and the enigmatic and unpredictable The Futurist. Otto Luyken has decent overall form and would not be winning out of turn but quite what to expect from The Futurist is impossible to know. Baratheon is an interesting runner, and the Piet Botha trained son of Jackson appears to go well for Louis Mxothwa. It has been a while since Louis was paired with Baratheon but from only two previous engagements the combination has chalked up a second and a third-place finish. Nebraas makes up the 9-horse party but there is nothing in his recent showings to suggest the 8yo son of Vercingetorix has a role to play in the outcome.
It’s tough race in which to nail one’s colours to the mast and without a great deal of confidence, my marginal first choice would be Holding Thumbs.
Bankers are at a premium on Saturday but taking a lead from JP van der Merwe, it may pay to take a chance with Unicorn Alert in the sixth race, the Soetendal Estate C Stakes over 1400m. Cape Racing’s Executive Chairman Greg Bortz has two runners in the race, namely recent maiden winner Circumbendibus (Glen Kotzen) as well as Unicorn Alert (Justin Snaith) but “JP” has chosen to ride the latter and his decision is noteworthy. Unicorn Alert’s stable companion, Secret Passage, won a good race over 1200m last time when beating subsequent winner Happy Wives, and the 3yo son of Futura could prove a threat.
The vote for nap of the day goes to Empire State in the tenth and final event, despite having to lump top weight of 63kgs. Trained by Candice Bass-Robinson, the 3yo son of Rafeef ran a super race on WSB Cape Town Met day when a close fourth behind Golden Destiny, who came out to win again over the past weekend. Empire State has shown very useful ability throughout his six-start career, and he bumps very limited opposition on Saturday.
The first of ten races, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m, is due off at 12:05 and the word is out that the aptly named Getupandgo could make a winning debut for trainer Vaughan Marshall. The 2yo son of Gimmethegreenlight races in the colours of Greg Bortz and will be ridden by his retained rider, JP van der Merwe.
