Big Unit has been tipped to win the 6th race. (Picture: Cape Racing)
Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)
Cape Racing presents a competitive 10-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this afternoon, with several well filled wide-open low-grade races set to test punters to the full. The exception in terms of field size is the richest race on the programme, the sixth race, a Cape B Stakes over 1500m, for which the field has been reduced to just eight runners following the scratchings of Major Master and Future Turn. But their absence does not necessarily make the task of narrowing the list of potential winners any easier.
World of Pleasure is the early market leader at 5/2 and the 3yo son of One World trained by Vaughan Marshall is clearly talented. In his most recent outing over 1400m World Of Pleasure was narrowly denied by Captain West and Sean Veale, who rode a double at the course on Monday, retains the ride. The extra 100m is not necessarily in his favour and being drawn on the outside of the small field is also a slight negative. I prefer the chances of Big Unit whose form is solid and from a good draw the 4yo son of Master Of My Fate will have every chance of recording his third career victory for the in-form combination of Louis Mxothwa and Brett & James Crawford.
Strictly on form Mauritius Kestrel should be comfortably held by World Of Pleasure but this will be his peak run after being rested and gelded and there is definite scope for improvement. Song Of The Moon is an eye-catching 4yo son of What A Winter but the Justin Snaith inmate has shown his best form over more ground. That said, the Snaith/Yeni partnership enjoyed a fruitful day on Monday and Song Of The Moon cannot be lightly discarded. Pas De Nom is a 5-time winner but is not the most reliable around and it’s difficult to assess his chances. Innamorare also tends to be a little inconsistent while Aspect has been below par in his last two starts and World Of Pleasure may be the stable elect. Katsu has not raced since June last year due to a pastern injury and is likely to need this run.
It all adds up to being a tricky race, but I am inclined to take a punt on Big Unit with Mauritius Kestrel and World Of Pleasure his principal dangers.
The second race and opening leg of the Bipot, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, sees the return of the promising Rhydian from the Dean Kannemeyer. The 3yo son of Rafeef was placed in all four starts as a juvenile behind several talented sorts but he has not raced since June last year. Fit and well Rhydian would take a lot of beating but the market may be the best guide to his chances. Ocean Sky showed promise on debut when runner-up behind Dawn’s Early Night in a modest maiden at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last month and has clear scope for significant improvement with the benefit of that run under the belt. The 2yo Day In Day Out also showed ability on his first racetrack appearance and the form of that race has been franked.
The opening leg of the Pick 6, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M) over 1200m, has attracted a full field of 20 runners and the layers have priced up Tanneron as the 6/1 favourite. The only sure-fire way of surviving this leg would be to include the field but such a strategy immediately places the cost of the perm beyond the reach of most budgets, and I will take my chances by banking on Tanneron and hoping for the best. Tanneron was runner-up in her last two starts and has always been highly regarded by Candice Bass-Robinson. Captain’s Destiny should also go well and rates the immediate danger to Tanneron but there are others, too many to mention, with winning claims.
Lady Look Alike should be able to take full advantage of a good draw in the fifth race, a Class 5 (F&M) Handicap over 1400m. Her recent form is encouraging, and the stable is presently in fine form. Tres Chic is ideally course and distance suited and may prove a lively threat with Corne Orffer in the irons. Beer With The Boys has the heavy impost of 64 kgs to carry in the eighth race, a Cape D Stakes over 1600m, but the 4yo son of Silvano is consistent and can be expected to go well from a handy barrier position. His opposition here is largely out of form but with only 53,5 to carry for the services of apprentice Bungane, Summer Night City could be the lurker in the pack.
The ninth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1600m, has attracted a decent field and the leading lights could be Hoodia, Unicorn Alert and King’s Quest, all of which have shown above average ability. Heal And Soul is lightly raced with plenty of upside and could be a threat from pole position while Touchdown appears to have found his best form and cannot be ignored, despite an awkward draw.
Electric Feels doesn’t know what it is to run a bad race and the 5yo mare could register her fifth career victory in the 10th race, a low-grade Cape D Stakes over 1000m. Over The Atlantic re-opposes here and is weighted to go close while Gravity and Champagne Mac could get into the scrum.
Racing gets under way at 11:55 with a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1000m and the weather forecast is good. Whatastar and She’s My World are the chief protagonists in the opener with a slight preference for the latter.
