Amayah (closest) just gets up to beat Lark’s Song at Hollywoodbets Durbanville a couple of months ago (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Though LARK’S SONG moved up sweetly looking like the winner, AMAYAH swept past with a rush to win at Hollywoodbets Durbanville two months ago. That form line will be tested when both fillies return to action in different races, on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
Andre Nel’s LARK’S SONG, a Querari 3YO out of top class mare Nightingale, steps out in Race 6, over 1800m. She won her Maiden over the trip at her penultimate start and jockey Andrew Fortune sticks solid. The irrepressible veteran, back from injury, rode with aplomb midweek landing a double and he will try boost his comeback tally by guiding her around from Draw 4.
LARK’S SONG took on and beat a field with an average merit rating of 76 last time and this line up is weaker with an average of just 64. Best of her rivals could be BACKINTHEFASTLANE, who would have been close to winning last time were it not for a tardy start, then being knocked about on the rail.
THE NIGHT FERRY should give a good sight racing handy – he’s not missed a stakes cheque since switching barns to Herman Brown.
The poorly drawn and heavily weighted, ELEGANT NOBLE need only reproduce a neat run to NOTE TO SELF at the end of January to also muscle his way into the fray.
Should LARK’S SONG get the job done in the 15h15, confidence in AMAYAH’S chances would go up in Race 8, a Class 4 over 1500m. Candice Bass conditions this daughter of Vercingetorix out of brilliant race mare, RIVER JETEZ, who has already won two of her five starts.
The adjusted time for defeating LARK’S SONG, combined with a sharp come home sectional, suggests she has plenty of upside. She just needs to transfer that eye-catching Hollywoodbets Durbanville form to the wider expanses at HollywoodbetsKenilworth. Corne Orffer gets the mount this time and this vastly experienced horseman should be able to work out a comfortable commute from Draw 4.
Should AMAYAH not fire after two months off track and given the course switch, who might be alternative picks? MY ONLY WEAKNESS, GIRL MAGIC and MIGHTY MARY rate as plausible back-up’s.
The former has run nicely at her last two starts; gets the inside alley and displays a seasonal preference having last won 355 days ago off a similar mark. Adam Marcus trains – Calvin Habib rides.
As for GIRL MAGIC, she has been laid off for 122 days since recording a double in November and December 2025. She won convincingly both times after racing handy, but the Shane Humby trained filly has been raised nine points for her troubles.
Richard Fourie won on MIGHTY MARY the last time her partnered her. She is a late running threat should the expected strong pace materialise.
Others worthy of consideration for bigger P6 and P4 perms, and the bottom slots of trifectas and quartets, include HUNGA TONGA, SPIRIT OF LEVANA, APRICITY and APRIL FOOL’S DAY.
CHARLIE BUCKET is not an easy horse to win with – he’s still a Maiden after nine attempts. Whilst there have been a few discouragingly inept attempts, other runs have seen him finish close to decent horses, suggesting a first victory is imminent.
Regular pilot JP van Der Merwe, flushed with success after a doing a great job, stalking then pouncing with exact timing on ROLAND GARROS in the R5 million, Race Coast Sales Big Cap at Hollywoodbets Greyville, is the jockey.
He has tactical options on the Paddy Kruyer, trained One World gelding. CHARLIE BUCKET has raced fine up in contention, though might be at his optimal when given a chance to settle and be conserved for a late flurry.
Three contenders loom as dangers in this Open Maiden. FERRYMAN is impeccably bred being by Vercingetorix out of the remarkable dam, Halfway to Heaven. After two decent starts he has been transferred to trainer Eric Sands, renowned for his astute handling of Gr 1 siblings, Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat.
MERCENARY ran the smart, PRAIRIE DAWN close three months ago, and prior to that just missed behind BACKINTHEFASTLANE. Draw 10 is a nuisance, but Lucinda Woodruff’s entry has the early toe to get over. Keagen de Melo is a skilled jockey with international experience in speed-orientated Hong Kong, so will provide plenty of assistance in the saddle.
LOVE FROM AFAR continues to progress after gelding and he comes in off a career top behind FORTUNE ONE. He should get the run of the race Drawn 1.
Cases for places can be made for MONTICELLO, ROYAL INFLUENCER and long-time Maiden, JOUEUR DE FLUTE.
But CHARLIE BUCKET, could be hard to hold out with a clear round, and is selected in the “get out stakes”, Race 9.
