Hollywoodbets Kenilworth had two interesting races today featuring a couple of promising three-year-olds and a scopey unexposed four-year-old, but both events would have been disappointing for those who hoped a star could be among them, although the promising Noble City can be forgiven having experienced what the Americans would call “a shocking trip”.
Nevertheless, the first of the races, a MR 90 handicap over 1800m, did not do much for the form of the Grade 3 Politician Stakes which was run over that same course and distance.
The Justin Snaith-trained Innamorare, a colt by Master Of My Fate, had to carry 1,5kg more than Rockpool in the Politician and was beaten six lengths, but that was deemed good enough for the three-time winner to start favourite today.
His market rival, the Piet Botha-trained Louis The King three-year-old gelding Montien took the lead after some early scrapping and travelled within himself.
Innamorare had a perfect position in midfield on the rail from pole position, but found little in the straight and hung outward too.
He probably does not stay, but being beaten 4,75 lengths did not say much for the Politician Stakes form.
Innamorare’s four-year-old stablemate Night Ruler, an 81 merit rated gelding by Kingsbarns, easily got the measure of Montien and won by 1,75 lengths with two more four-year-olds, Sudden Song (Sudden Storm) and Beyondtheboundary (Gimmethegreenlight), in third and fourth places respectively.
Joshwin Solomons gave Night Riuler a good ride as he came from behind Innamorare and dived for the inside rail. Night Ruler looked the winner a long way out.
The last race was eagerly anticipated as it saw two promising sorts in the Brett Crawford-trained Veldskoen, a scopey, unexposed Australian-bred four-year-old colt by Snitzel, facing the Peter Muscutt-trained three-year-old Noble Tune gelding, Noble City, who had impressed on debut with his speed, turn of foot and scope for improvement.
Noble City was shuffled back early and then baulked for a run when they reached the false rail. He produced a strong late run after switching outward and finally seeing daylight, but it was too late and he was pipped for second by the Mike Stewart-trained Fort Red, who was beaten 1,75 lengths by the easy Greg Ennion-trained winner, Wyag. Grant van Niekerk sat in last place on Wyag before diving for the inside rail and the long stride of the three-year-old merit rated 77 gelding by What A Winter did the rest.
Veldskoen was handy but outpaced in the finish and probably needs further, which he might get on pedigree as his dam, by speedy sire Iffraaj, was a useful miler.
Earlier, there was a noteworthy win by the Brett Crawford-trained Canford Cliffs filly Enemy Territory. She is owned by Ridgemont Highlands and was bred by the Kieswetter’s breeding operation in Ireland, Barnane Stud. She was born to Northern Hemisphere time, so is officially five months younger than her SA-bred three-year-old contemporaries.
She broke well under Luyolo Mxothwa in the Maiden Special weights event over 1200m and sauntered clear in the closing stages to win by four lengths in just her second start. That proved to be the first leg of a treble for Mxothwa and Crawford.
Irish-bred Canford Cliffs filly Enemy Territory is out on her own in the second race over 1200m and gave Luyolo Mxothwa and Brett Crawford the first leg of a treble. (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Justin Snaith also sent out a treble and Grant van Niekerk rode a double.
Mxothwa is now on 79 wins for the season at 16.53%.
Van NIekerk is on 16 wins at 9.04%.
National trainers log leader Snaith is now on 84 wins at 12.82% and his official stakes earnings of close to R11,5 million is roundabout R4,5 million clear of second-placed Crawford. Snaith’s stakes earnings if including restricted races is R17,718,800 and is more than R10 million clear of Crawford.
Crawford has had 61 wins at a strike rate of 13.77%.
