With half the field in contention for a Sun Met berth on 26 January, there will be plenty to play for in the R400 000 Gr2 Peninsula Handicap at Kenilworth on Saturday.
While he has some ground to make up on his recent form, last year’s winner Eyes Wide Open may be a good starting point.
Eyes Wide Open – edging back to best (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
The son of Dynasty carries top weight of 62 kgs and has not won since his peak afternoon on Met day last year when he beat subsequent July winner Do It Again to win the Cape Derby. Since then he has run four times – which included a Gr1 place behind Captain America – and a fair third last start when beaten almost 4 lengths by Head Honcho in the Premier Trophy. Gavin Lerena now gets tasked with sparking some enthusiasm from the 4yo who made respiratory noises at his last start. Fitness will be no excuse.
Met entry Kampala Campari found his best form after being outpaced in the Matchem Stakes when galloping on strongly to beat Ollivander in an MR 96 Handicap at Durbanville last time out. That was his second outing after a break and he could be ready to show further improvement.
Another Sun Met entry, Platinum Prince was third and 3 lengths behind rising star Rainbow Bridge in the Cape Mile at his first start this season. He showed promising form during the SA Champions Season competition on the East Coast last season and will be looking to improve on his 2,75 lengths third behind Eyes Wide Open in this race last year – and enjoys a weight swing of 7kgs to assist him!
Magnificent Seven – goes for five on the roll (Pic- Pauline Herman Photography)
The very progressive staying type Magnificent Seven comes off four straight wins including a hard fought Algoa Cup win at Fairview at the end of October. The Settlers Trophy winner should enjoy the long Kenilworth summer home straight but may find the 1800m on the sharp in this company.
Last season’s East Cape Derby winner American Landing has been uninspiring of late and comes off three runs in the different provinces. The well-related 4yo ran a modest fourth in the Cape Summer Stayers last time and is probably best watched for some improvement.
Richard Fourie takes the ride on Doublemint 9Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Justin Snaith’s Met entry Doublemint, the winner of last term’s Gr3 Winter Derby, has his second run as a 4yo after a quiet start in early December in a 1400m pipe-opener. Richard Fourie abandons Eyes Wide Open in favour of the Snaith runner and he could be ready for a big showing from his 3 draw.
The Slade has not won a race for over a year and has his third outing this season since well beaten by Head Honcho in the Consolation July. He showed pace in the Premier Trophy and then dropped away to little. It is worth noting that he would have a shout at best and ran on steadily for second behind Eyes Wide Open in this race last year and enjoys a nice swing at the weights.
Ballad Of The Sea looks a fair stayer in the making and has maintained consistent, if not winning form, since his third behind Doublemint in the Gr3 Winter Derby. He is likely to need more ground to show his best.
Elusive Silva – talented and can improve (Pic – Gold Circle)
Met entry Elusive Silva has had two quiet runs this season after flashing through late for third in the July behind stablemate Do It Again. The Greyville 1900 winner is as much as 6kg better off with Eyes Wide Open on last year’s running when beaten 6,35 lengths.
Piet Steyn’s Man About Town takes a step up in class but his form has been thereabouts and he could be a quartet possibility at best. The son of Gitano Hernando was well beaten in the Winter Derby behind Doublemint.
A decent contest in prospect with Platinum Prince and Eyes Wide Open the possible main protagonists. Doublemint and Magnificent Seven should be thereabouts.
