Time For Love wins first time out the maidens over 1800m in December off a 76 merit rating (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)
The lightly raced Time For Love takes on a highly competitive field of seasoned colts and geldings in the sixth event, a Cape B Stakes over 1800m, at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth tomorrow, but the 4yo daughter of Time Thief is well treated by the conditions of the race, and she could register her third career victory in only her seventh racecourse appearance.
Time for Love returned three weeks ago from a short spell on the sidelines and only just failed to match Katsu over this track and trip. She is now 2kgs better off with Lucinda Woodruff’s charge and with the benefit of that run under the belt, it is reasonable to suggest that Time For Love can turn the tables on Katsu this time around. But victory for Time For Love is no foregone conclusion as there are many in-form and hard knocking handicappers in the 13-strong field.
Gimme More Time was a recent winner over 2200m but is equally adept at this distance and must be respected. Gainsford can be a little inconsistent but rates a threat if reproducing his best form. He does have to concede a whopping 9kgs to Time For Love which may be a little tough for him. Gentlemen Joe finished fourth behind Katsu and Time For Love last time and is slightly better off at the weights. He seldom runs a bad race and can never be written off.
Allez Moris has bounced back to form in his last two starts and once again gets the services of Richard Fourie. He steps up in trip here but there is no reason why 1800m should not be within his compass. Coronation Time is as game as they come and won his most recent outing when edging home ahead of Royal Watch. The latter is now 1,5kgs better off which should be more than enough to turn the tables. Kitchakal is holding form well and should relish going this distance for the first time since August last year – a definite chance despite the steadier of 60kgs.
African Torrent can improve in only his second start for new trainer Adam Marcus while Pas De Nom is dropping down the ratings and could show a sudden return to form. The only other filly in the race, Broadway Girl, is also well in at the weights here, brings good consistent form into the race, and would not be winning out of turn. It’s a very interesting and challenging contest but Time For Love could still be improving and makes plenty of each-way appeal.
The second race on the programme, and first leg of the Bipot, sees The Abdicator go on trial against six rivals in the Cape B Stakes over 1000m. The Abdicator is being considered for a tilt at the Computaform Sprint on the Highveld in April but one would imagine that he would need to win in good style tomorrow for those plans to become a reality. Fourie steered the imported son of No Nay Never to a narrow victory over Future Variety in his penultimate start and then more recently The Abdicator was touched off by Tough Terrain when uncharacteristically held up in the early stages. The Abdicator usually goes forward from the jump, and I expect the connections will revert to giving him his head from the start tomorrow. He should prove too quick for Bluff On Bluff and Piroshka.
Looking through the card there are several brainteasers for punters, most notably the sixth, seventh and eighth races, but Ellorix (3rd Race), Plum Pudding (4th Race) and Daimyo (5th Race) appear worth following and are key runners in the exotics.
The first of nine events, a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1200m is due off at 12:20. Tuscan Romance caught the eye when second to Dark Winter on debut and Miss Argonaut has since come out to frank the form. Miss World comes out of the same form line as Tuscan Romance and can improve while In The Green Zone has been knocking at the door with three placings from as many starts, all within a length of the winner. Babelicious seems better than her below-par effort last time while My Only Weakness, Hush Money and Back At The George are interesting newcomers and any market support must be respected.
