Cup Trial And Fillies 1400m Race Are Ultra Competitive

The Gr 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial over 1800 is an important pointer to the country’s premier race, the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July, and the field of 13 will mostly be out to use this race as a means of earning a berth in the Hollywoods Durban July, so it is going to be a keenly fought affair.

Pomodoro’s Jet is well regarded and ha proved why this season with three comfortable wins in succession from 1400m to 1600m. He was number 20 on the first July log and will need a big run here to book his place. He has only run three times beyond 1600m and was not disgraced. He is by July winner Pomodoro out of a Captain Al maiden who never ran beyond 1400m. However, he was only 3,20 lengths back in the July consolation race last year over 2200m, so should stay this trip from pole position.

Pacaya is well weighted on his excellent WSB Met performance and has a plum draw. He is none too reliable but has won a Gr 2 here over 1900m before so he could go close from a plum draw.

Madison Valley went close in the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup over 2000m at Turffontein when storming through from near the back after jumping from a wide draw. He was then rested and his two subsqeunt 1600m races were intended to bring him on for the WSB 1900, but a nick on his back caused subseqeunt leg swelling and he had to go on a course of anti-biotics to get rid of the infection. He then ran a flat race in the 1900. He is way better than that and look for a stong finish from this rangy type after being dropped out from a tricky draw of eight.

Wild Intent ran a cracking second in the Gr 1 SA Derby and can confirm his high position of 15 on the July log, although it won’t be easy from a wide draw.

Zeitz had a cracking win over this trip in a Gr 3 three-year-old event in Cape Town, but he was beaten last time in the Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby over 2000m in February and has not run since, so it is a tough ask from the widest draw of all.

Regulation is 4,5kg under sufferance, but is on the up and has a good draw over a course and distance he proved was right up his alley last time when winning over 1900m here in cosy style.

Underworld ran a cracking third in the WSB 1900 and if it pans out as well this time he could be in the shake up. He found a handy position with cover in the 1900 before staying on but it will be harder here from a tougher draw, although Richard Fourie up will give him every chance.

Hotarubi is a frustrating sort as he does not always put it in, but on his day he has the class to be involved here from  a good draw.

On My Honour has not been disgraced against top drawer competition after three wins in succession. He has not been tried beynd 1600m, but on pedigree he should stay being by Gimmethegreenlight out of a High Chaparral mare.

Thunee Playa ran a fair fifth in he WSB 1900 and is capable of earning again, although he is not as well drawn.

Litigation is perfectly distance suited and went close in a Gr 2 over this trip at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this season. However, he has not run since being well beaten in the WSB Met in January. He has not placed in two previous starts in Graded middle distance races at this course.

Ponte Pietra is capable on his day but is usually in and out and is currently off form.

Winter Games is in fine form but a wide draw is against him particularly as he has never been tried over this far before, although he has placed in lesser company over 1700m before.

They are selected in the order mentioned.