Cape racing only has two midweek meetings programmed in the month of June. Kenilworth hosts the first of those today where a decent nine race programme presents a few tricky posers for punters looking for one of those mouthwatering winter Pick 6 dividends of bygone days.
My Emblem beats Just Felicity in Listed Perfect Promise
It has been some time since one can recall a genuine mudbath at Kenilworth with some really left field results – when those mudlarks with the big feet finding a rare spark of form to win.
With the rain more scarce than Pick 6 bankers at the moment, it is surely only a matter of time before things turn!
The day’s topliner is not in the Pick 6. It is an R86 000 Fillies & Mares Conditions Plate run down the straight 1000m.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that there are only eight runners lining up – the Place Accumulator opener could be trickier than one might think.
Not unusually, Justin Snaith has a trio of fillies under the saddle and with top jockeys Bernard Fayd’herbe, Richard Fourie and Grant van Niekerk doing duty, the three need to be taken seriously.
Bernard Fayd’herbe – rides Jo’s Bond
Topweight Jo’s Bond returns from an unplaced run at Fairview in the Milkwood Stakes.
That was disappointing but at her penultimate jump finished 4,15 lengths off Varumba over Tuesday’s course and distance.
She is 2,5kgs better off with the Marshall runner this time and as a course and distance winner on giving ground, must rank as a serious runner.
Stablemate Dixie Express’ form has tapered negatively after a four smart wins on the trot.
She was well beaten in the Olympic Duel Stakes at her penultimate start and then fell away after showing pace behind Ocean’s Swell.
Azarenka returns from a 66 week break and is likely to need the run.
Brett Crawford – decent duo
Brett Crawford’s Captain Al duo of Sails Set and Captain’s Dove are both place prospect runners at best.
Sails Set won two consecutive races over the course and distance before a reasonable 3,25 length behind the promising Chevauchee in the Olympic Duel Stakes.
She may be outgunned by Jo’s Bond at these weights .
The year older Captain’s Dove vas been thereabouts at her last few starts in lower ranking handicaps and may find this tough.
Vaughan Marshall saddles Varumba, who beat subsequent Olympic Duel Stakes victress Chevauchee at her last start.
This promising daughter of Var looks to be getting stronger and even though worse off at the weights with Jo’s Bond, could step up again.
Greg Ennion – seasoned horseman who knows his oats
Greg Ennion must be tearing his sparse hair out over the Antonius Pius filly, Just Felicity.
She is a walking billboard for not getting too excited if your 2yo wins a couple!
Just Felicity won two of her first three starts and was also stakes placed as a 2yo. She looked promising but really has battled since and her last run in the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes was not inspiring
The Listed Perfect Promise Stakes winner My Emblem falls much into the same profile as Just Felicity.
The daughter of National Emblem was also downfield in the Olympic Duel Stakes and is another who is going to need things to go her way to have any chance.
The heat will be on from the start. Watch the weather and the underfoot conditions.
Every one of the eight could win it if things go their way. We are siding with Jo’s Bond and Varumba to slog it out.
