Stormwatch (far side) just holds on from Wish List over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville (Picture: Wayne Marks)
By Mark van Deventer (Race Coast)
Last Sunday 3YO colts with Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas aspirations stepped out in the Cape Classic – a messy, false paced affair won comfortably by heavily backed Vapour Trail.
This coming Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth sees the turn of ten select 3YO’s with World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas hopes, in the Western Cape Fillies Championship (Gr2) over 1400m.
Off time is 16h10 and it is carded as Race 7 on a ten-race program.
Going from low-to-high in barrier order, She’s my World draws the inside alley. She will try to reprise her 40/1 boil over victory in the Diana Stakes in September. Everything broke right for her on that occasion as she finished off purposefully from a perfect track position. Muzi Yeni sticks solid after giving her a great ride from a wide draw last time, and the One World filly should again feature racing handily.
Princess of Gaul was five lengths back on that occasion when disappointed for a run in the closing stages. She is better assessed on her defeat of well-performed, Elegantrix in the Debutante Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville. On official merit ratings the daughter of Vercingeterix is right in the mix with a mark of 107.
Gimme What I Want has many rating points to find if her O.M.R. of just 88 is an accurate reflection. She won a Maiden and then followed up immediately when finishing enthusiastically in Class 4 company and has earned the right to take on stronger. Justin Snaith trains the progressive, Gimmethegreenlight filly.
He also saddles, Lowveld Lily (by Legislate), a winner of two from five starts, who will also need to bump up her rating substantially. Beating Angel’s Oasis in a Class 5 is a much easier assignment than what she faces on Saturday.
Electromagnetism is another unproven at this elevated level. After a couple of educational runs to get her career underway, she has been consistently competitive, including a narrow miss behind Ukuduma in the mid-winter Irridescence Stakes when just ahead of She’s My World. On official ratings, the Bass Racing entry has several lengths to make up on the principals.
Keukenhof is by The United States, a sire starting to make an impact. She was an eye-catcher in the Diana Stakes, rushing through a swift closing sectional after being caught too far back at the quick running Hollywoodbets Durbanville circuit.
She also finished off well at her previous start in the Debutante when upsides of Dean Kannemeyer trained stable companion, Princess of Gaul, and was doing her best work late in both the Gr1 Allan Robertson behind Direct Hit, and Slipper when drawn hopelessly wide.
Form at that level qualifies her as short list material though she cannot afford to give away too much start as she tends to do. There will again probably not be much between Keukenhof and Princess of Gaul on the pick of their KZN runs.
Tienie Prinsloo brings Quickstepgal down from KZN with Gavin Lerena riding this zippy, Vercingeterix filly who could be the dominant speed. Lerena is very astute tactically and will try pace her just right to stretch rivals out of their comfort zones and get his mount to last home – a tricky balancing act.
In July, Quickstepgal was defeated by Anotherdanceforme in the Slipper at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Alan Greeff’s unbeaten Master of My Fate filly dashed past Prinsloo’s pacesetter, who could not hold on despite enjoying a soft lead on the Durban circuit which often plays favourably to on pace runners. The Eastern Cape invader will again try confirming her superiority.
Ace jockey, Richard Fourie has cautioned about Anootherdanceforme’s nervousness and behavioural quirks. But he gave her big kudos too in saying, “she’s got wings” after an Eastern Cape Fillies Nursery romp in March. On that occasion, she earned a notably fast time adjusted figure for a juvenile – achieved without being extended and where Fourie could have won on her riding backwards.
Stormwatch was an unlucky loser of the Diana Stakes. She was caught too far back, then had to switch in deep stretch. That she got within half a length of She’s my World was a sterling effort. The nimble daughter of Vercingetorix flashed a fine turn of foot in defeat and her determination to overcome trouble in running marks her as a foe to be feared. Eric Sands trains: Callan Murray takes over the steering.
Wish List (by Legislate) gave Stormwatch a kilogram and was only just pipped when they clashed two months ago so is respected on collateral form. S’manga Khumalo must somehow work out a decent passage from the outside stall (10.)
The disproportionate impact of a few stallions on the breed in S.A. is noticeable. Half the ten-runner field are by Vercingetorix and Gimmethegreenlight. Two Legislate’’ and progeny of The United States, One World and Master of my Fate comprise the balance.
In summary, Anotherdanceforme arrives with a big reputation and a flawless record. She has started short-priced favourite at all six starts and has handled every challenge with aplomb. The betting market expects her to go in again. She may indeed do so, but there are a few niggling queries which rivals may exploit.
Even though defeated in the Diana Stakes, Stormwatch did something exceptional – showing great acceleration and determination from a hopeless situation. At the prices she may have more potential as an each way value play against a hot, visiting favourite that, as brilliant as she is, has shown a tendency to hang and is going left-handed for the first time.
Dean Kannemeyer’s two entries, Keukenhof and Princess of Gaul enter the reckoning as legitimate back-up’s, with proven winner Quickstepgal respected as the lone speed on a course with a short run in, for a high percentage, strategically sussed, jockey.
Justin Snaith’s She’s My World and Wish List are possibilities for wider P6 and Jackpot perms. They are must-use gallopers in the lower slots of single race exotics.
