The one-eyed Mister Monocle is one of nine rides Gavin Lerena has for the powerful Justiin Snaith yard (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)
Today’s 9-race rain-delayed race meeting in the Western Cape has been switched from Kenilworth to Hollywoodbets Durbanville, the first race meeting at the country course since November last year and punters are advised to check for scratchings and other changes before finalising their selections. As it is Gavin Lerena and Kabelo Matsunyane have been flown into town by Justin Snaith and Brett Crawford respectively to replace Richard Fourie, Sean Veale and apprentice Nastilli, who are committed to riding at Hollywoodbets Scottsville this afternoon.
Gavin Lerena has “inherited” a good book of rides for the Snaith yard, and he could be victorious on all of Please Be True in the opener, Landoftherisingsun in the second race, Champagne Kisses in the fourth race, Groovejet in the fifth race, Mister Monocle in the seventh race and Among The Clouds in the ninth race. Interestingly in today’s headliner, the R165 000 Cape A Stakes over 1800m, billed as the eighth race on the programme, Lerena has replaced Veale on Rapidash while Louis Mxothwa has been engaged to replace Fourie on ante-post favourite Pacaya.
Sugar Mountain and Flower Of Saigon are early withdrawals from this race, leaving only six runners, five of which will be saddled by Snaith. The lone “outsider” in the field is Love Is A Rose from the Greg Ennion stable and ironically, she could prove to be a real thorn in Snaith’s side as she makes plenty of appeal, despite Grant Van Niekerk putting up 1kg overweight, and the daughter of Master Of My Fate will not be unduly troubled by the late switch to Durbanville.
Sachdev ran a better race last time when running on well behind Sugar Mountain and its worth noting that his last victory came when scoring at big odds over this track and trip back in November. Snaith’s remaining two runners, Salvator Mundi and Navy Strength, may have a bit to find but could surprise in a trappy contest in which tactics could play a large role in the outcome.
Landoftherisingsun and Groovejet are arguably Lerena’s best chances to land a winner for the Snaith team but the vote for nap of the day goes to the Vaughan Marshall-trained Sahara Cat in the third race, a Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1250m. Ashton Arries takes over the reins from Fourie and the daughter of One World should resume winning ways after finding the 1500m of the Irridescence Stakes a touch beyond her last month.
Race times have been changed to complement the off times at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and the first race at Durbanville is now scheduled to start at 12:15. Due to differing track configurations, races 1, 3 & 4 will now be run over 1250m and the distance for Race 7 has been reduced to 2000m.
