Cafe Culture has a lot in his favour in the Matchem (Picture: Wayne Marks)
There are three features at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday and they should be crackers.
In the Gr 3 Race Coast Matchem over 1400m Stakes Cafe Culture could do it for the Lucinda Woodruff yard. He has drawn in pole and off his 124 merit rating he carries 61.5kg and is the best weighted runner in the field. Cafe Culture has the pace to be handy and has a fine turn of foot. Last time out in the Gr 1 Mercury he ran a fine two length fifth from a wide draw after having a shoe replaced. Over this distance category he has had two wins and a second from six runs so should be a big runner under Chad Little. Sugar Mountain has been in devastating form during the Cape winter, winning three on the trot from 1400m to 1600m. He has drawn well in three and is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with Cafe Culture. He is by Silvano so is not slowing down as a seven-year-old and should produce another storming finish. Questioning did not enjoy much luck in KZN during the Champions Season, but won this race last year from draw nine and now has draw seven with Richard Fourie up. He should be taken handy and is officially just 1kg under sufferance. Absolutely Yes is officially 8kg under sufferance but looks to be a sort who can progress nicely. Muzi Yeni will likely try and get him to the front which is how he won the Langerman and his long stride could carry him close with just 51kg to shoulder provided he does not waste too much energy in the early stages. The other three-year-old is Aristocratic and he has been shown to have a fine turn of foot, so although officially 5kg under sufferance he could make a bold bid carrying just 50kg plus 1kg overweight for in-form Serino Moodley. Against the two three-year-olds is a three-year-old has not won this race since the great Variety Club prevailed way back in 2011. Underworld is a resolute galloper who should put in a game display over a suitable trip and he could earn. Those are the five who make most appeal.
In the Gr 3 Schweppes Diana Stakes over 1400m the unbeaten Princess Of Gaul faces an acid test against older fillies and mares. Off her 107 meit rating she carries 53,5kg and is officially 2,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted runners. However, she looks to be full of class and could be up to it from pole position under Sean Veale over a step up in trip she should enjoy, being by Vercingetorix out of a Duke Of Marmalade half-sister to the Equus Champion broodmare, Halfway To Heaven. However, her useful half-brother by The United States, Kingdundee, does seem to be an out and out sprinter, so there is a slight stamina concern. Swiatek comes off a hattrick of wins over this trip and should be involved under Richard Fourie. Sohot Sowaht could be involved if able to overcome a wide draw as she has caught the eye before. Scarlet McCaw is one of the best weighted horses and this Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas runner up has a good chance from draw two under Andrew Fortune. Keukenhoff had some fine two-year-old form and from a good draw should be a runner.
In the Listed Settlers Trophy over 2000m Greenlightalltheway is drawn well and is on the up, so is taken to claim a wide open event.
It should be an intriguing day’s racing at a venue that always has a good vibe on days when good racing and big rugby matches combine on the agenda.
