Demanding Dave has been tipped to win the Gr 3 Champagne Stakes (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Race Coast
Trainer Mike Stewart has done a super job placing Demanding Dave to rise through the divisions and emerge as a sprinter capable of claiming a race of substantial standard. He has his first dip into stakes level at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Monday and he could claim the Grade 3 Champagne Stakes over 1200m.
Demanding Dave has become a crowd favourite in Cape Town. He has been in firing form over the past few months landing four wins in his last six runs. He has a fantastic turn of foot which makes him a joy to watch as he weaves his way through when he tastes success. Sadly, that running style broke him last time but there are reasons to believe he can turn that form around.
Jockey Andrew Fortune has ridden Demanding Dave three times and booted him to victory in all three starts. Fortune is sweating to 54kg to ride him on this public holiday.
Last time out he finished 1,3 lengths behind Dance Variety over 1100m in the Easter Sprint. He finds himself 0,5kg worse off but he ran into traffic problems when he was unwinding and becoming a threat. Some of the pace fell into his lap which took away some momentum.
His sequence of wins came over 1000m but his running style should give hope that he can be as effective over slightly further. This is probably his ceiling as far as stamina is concerned.
Sardinia Bay is also a promising three-year-old sprinter in the making. He finished just ahead of Demanding Dave in the Easter Sprint and they meet on identical terms. He has buckets of early pace but rain has arrived in Cape Town which might test his fluent stride. He cannot be ignored.
Dance Variety has a target on his back having defeated these lively chances last time. He does have his issues which cause him to be hit and miss so he is hard to rely on. If he is in the same mood as earlier this month, he could easily claim back-to-back wins. Calvin Habib has taken his chances with an in-form Adam Marcus yard and they combine.
The Cullinan put up a pleasing debut earlier this month and if he builds on that performance, he could exit the maiden ranks at his second attempt in race 1 over 1200m. He finished a length behind Earn The Weekend over this course and distance. Godric Gryffindor stands out as a major threat but he has not been seen since January so his fitness must be taken on trust.
Tristan Godden has found himself in the right place at the right time riding some work for Justin Snaith in Durban and he receives his second call-up from the Champion Trainer in
the space of a month. He rides Vercicat in race 2 over 1200m. His first run after being gelded was full of promise when he finished second behind Earn The Weekend. If the formline is franked a race earlier, his chances will enhance. There is no depth to form and filling the runner-up spot sets an uninspiring standard.
Pay The Palace has been tested against the best three-year-olds in Cape Town and he did not disgrace himself. Then he turned up in the Grade 3 Variety Club Mile earlier this month and was not far behind the promising Jet Force. He is back over the same course and distance in race 3. This is a drop in class and he gets Richard Fourie aboard. If he gets anywhere near his run in the Grade 2 Cape Punters Cup in November when close-up behind Good For You, he would take a power of beating.
There are a few runners who are ready to win in race 4 over 1600m. Spanish Verse could have found himself with an opportunity shed his maiden tag which would be overdue. He was touched off in his last two runs. Blizzardboy got his number last time narrowly. He seems to be weary when off the bit so when he glides into contention unextended, he is probably more appealing to the eye than the feel. He must have a top chance. Zagreb and See The Sign must have good chances.
Spirit Of Nical could the one to side with in race 5 over 1500m. Her last two runs suggest some life having finished fourth and third after some rather uninspiring early form. If she confirms the improvement and there is no reason to doubt that, she could get the job done. Up In Flames is better than her recent runs and she could bounce back to life and give Spirit Of Nical a run for her money.
There are plenty with chances in race 6 over 1400m. Devil A Saint has a pleasing turn in the weights in his favour. His last start saw him finish 1,75 lengths behind Klein Karoo over this course and distance. He is 2,5kg better off which should be enough to turn the form around. His hard knocking form could be rewarded.
Oliver showed signs of life in his last run when he returned from a break and flew at the end to finish 1,75 lengths behind What A Fortune. That piece of form has been well looked after with the winner finishing third in the Race Coast Sale Big Cap a few weeks ago behind Roland Garros who would be an aimer in this field. Oliver has a good turn of foot and if the pace is on, he will be seen to best effect. He comes from the yard of Adam Marcus which has been sending out a litany of winners lately.
Star World arrives in good form and she could complete back-to-back wins when she runs in race 9 over 1200m. She turned over South Of France last time by a length at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. South Of France has won subsequently. Richard Fourie is
carded to ride for Vaughan Marshall. Her main danger is Iona Castle who is fresh out of the maidens but it seems that James Crawford has worked out what makes her tick.
