Can former Equus Champion Sprinter Rio Querari resume winning ways? (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)
With Grant Van Niekerk sitting out a four-week suspension, the old firm of Justin Snaith and Richard Fourie could get punters off to a flying start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth tomorrow when Aristotle lines up at 12:45 in the first of eight races, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m. Aristotle was a distant second behind the talented One Stripe on debut but the form has been franked and Aristotle will take a power of beating.
On what we have seen to date, Bagatelle Flash rates the principal threat. He finished second on debut behind Makazole over 1000m and Eric Sands’ runner should appreciate the step up in trip. Miss Argonaut has scope for improvement while Stated, Mauritius Kestrel and the newcomer Arctic Wizard should be considered for Trifecta and Quartet permutations.
The second race is a Maiden Plate over 1200m, and it may pay to follow Cliff Swallow who showed good improvement in his second career start when flashing up late to get within a neck of Kaapse Klopse. That was not the strongest of formlines but clearly Cliff Swallow is going the right way, and he could have the measure of the well-tried campaigners, Wissa’s Fire, The US of A, Igugulethu and Approach Shot.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1400m and the consistent, but well-exposed, Ice Rain stands out and should carry top weight to victory, despite facing the widest draw of all. Jet Green has been there and thereabouts of late and in receipt of 8kgs from could land Lunga Gila his first winner since moving to the Western Cape. Three Coins has done enough to warrant respect in this class of field while both Blind Faith and Rocking Peonie must be considered for the minor placings.
The fourth race is an interesting and competitive Cape A Stakes over 1400m. Café Culture returned to winning ways over the course and distance on Derby Day under a forceful ride by Bernard Fayd’herbe. He was punished 5 points for a nose victory but with Fourie in the saddle the Lucinda Woodruff-trained son of Var could go back-to-back. Wecangoallnight fluffed his lines last time but is better than that while Look For Hounds always rates an upset possibility. Port Louis returns from the Eastern Cape and will jump from pole position. His form over track and trip is solid and he is certainly not without a winning chance here.
The fifth race is a lowly rated Class 5 Handicap over 1400m and Master Of Paris could go one better than his last two starts over course and distance. In his penultimate start Master Of Paris was runner-up in this class behind Kebonalesedi and he followed that up with a good second behind Aspect. His stable companion Liketheclappers ran below expectations last time but could bounce back.
Candice Bass-Robinson holds a strong hand in the sixth race, a Middle Stakes over 1100m. She saddles Winter Rainfall, whose last effort over 1600m can be safely ignored, and the very promising Kyalami Girl. The latter showed useful potential in two starts as a juvenile and returned from an 11-month injury-enforced absence to win her maiden two months ago in commanding fashion. She should have progressed nicely in the interim and is given the nod to beat Winter Rainfall in a useful field. Highly Confidential, Pacific Green, Porque Te Vas and Candy Town are all worthy of a mention.
The seventh race, a Cape C Stakes over 1100m, has attracted a very modest field but Hammies Hero, On Board and Mighty Mac make up a viable short-list. Winter Frolic has her first run for the Piet Botha stable and could surprise but, in all honesty, if Hammies Hero cannot beat this lot, then the chances of him ever registering a third career victory look slim.
Undoubtedly the best and most challenging race on the card is the final event, the Cape A Stakes over 1100m. Fourie re-unites with former Champion Sprinter, Rio Querari, on whom he has a fine record. Rio Querari always does enough to keep us interested and in this lower-class event he could find his way to the winner’s enclosure. Yellowporscheroad reverts to the minimum trip and could lead them a merry dance off bottom weight. Dance Variety, an ultra-consistent performer over 1200m, has his first ever run over 1000m, but he cannot be entirely dismissed while Jerusalema Rain, Mr Cobbs, Mufasa and Winter Cloud all have the ability, and the form, to win a race such as this. A definite field race for Jackpot and Pick 6 permutations.
