The Abdicator found his feet as a three-year-old and looks to have scope for further progression this season, which begins in the sixth race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Graeme Hawkins
Cape Racing hosts a 9-race “bread-and-butter” race meeting at Hollywoodbets Durbanville tomorrow and The Abdicator (Ire) makes his comeback in the sixth race, a Class 3 Handicap over 1000m, and is reported by trainer Brett Crawford to be “working well and a good run is expected”.
The Abdicator (Ire) has a victory at the country course to his credit and he could make light of 61kgs under Richard Fourie to post his fifth career win. That said, on previous form Tough Terrain has his measure in receipt of 6,5kgs and is a must inclusion in all perms. Captain Arrow has very good course and distance form, but Candice Bass-Robinson has indicated the 4yo son of Captain Of All could just need this run. Franz Lehar receives 5kgs from the aforementioned and could be the lurker in this trappy looking contest.
The first race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1250, due to start at 12:05. The race has attracted a full field, but the outcome appears to rest between Englefield Green and Beware The Bomb, both of which showed useful promise on their respective debuts. Beware The Bomb has not raced since finishing third behind Tequila Sky back in April, but trainer Justin Snaith reports that “Beware The Bomb is doing great and will be the filly to beat.”
On that basis the 3yo daughter of Lancaster Bomber gets the nod but healthy respect for Andre Nel’s Englefield Green who should progress nicely from a decent draw. Back At The George has done enough in her four starts to date to suggest she could be in the mix as far as Trifectas and Quartets are concerned.
Let It Be Said ticks all the right boxes in the second race and opening leg of the Bipot, a Maiden Plate over 1250m. Runner-up in his last two starts the Snaith-trained son of Vercingetorix should make a bold bid, but there are several very well-bred newcomers so keep an eye on the betting for a possible market springer. Bombers In The Sky returns from a lengthy spell on the sidelines and has been gelded in the interim. Watch for a much better effort here. Cliff Swallow has been expensive to follow but could have a say in the outcome.
The fourth race and opening leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden Plate over 1600m, could be fought out by Landoftherisingsun and Terminator. The latter has shown good recent improvement but will find it tough from the widest gate of all and preference is thus for the relatively unexposed Landoftherisingsun, who has placed in his last two outings. Circumbendibus and Arbitration could have scope for improvement and may be worth considering for larger perms, along with the 4yo maidens Amancio, Champonelle and Cosmic Rhythm.
Plum Pudding ran below par on a soft track last time but could bounce back in the fifth race, a Class 4 Handicap (F&M over 1800m. She has most to fear from the Snaith pair, Among The Clouds and Lickety Split, but I believe that Plum Pudding will get the run of the race from pole position and prove the one to beat.
Bass-Robinson holds a strong hand in the eighth race, a Cape C Stakes (F&M) over 1400m, with her two promising 3yo fillies Scarlet Macaw and Babelicious, both of which are well drawn. The 4yo Becky Sharp looks well handicapped here but is drawn wide and will need a little luck in running. Tokyo Princess bounced back to winning ways at long odds two weeks ago and Craig Zackey retains the ride. Lunga Gila has his string in good order and Tokyo Princess cannot be lightly dismissed.
Radicchio is ideally course and distance suited in the ninth race, a Class 4 Handicap over 1400m. Fourie has twice been victorious aboard Piet Botha’s 5yo son of Flower Alley and he should give us a good run for our money here. Das Gute is equally at home at Durbanville and his recent form is encouraging. He should go close from a decent draw this time around. Definitely Yes won well on debut and Dean Kannemeyer’s runner could be anything. Plus Four and Stated were impressive winners of their most recent outings, while We Have Touchdown has won his last two, but faces a real test with top weight to shoulder. A tough race but I harbour a slight preference for Radicchio.
