With a cold front and threats of flooding in the Cape metropole, Overberg and Cape Winelands for Saturday, Kenilworth Racing have jockey Greg Cheyne on standby for a track inspection should circumstances warrant it.
With no rain forecast overnight, and most of it anticipated between 09h00 and 11h00 on Saturday morning, it would be premature to expect any advance notice of any possible changes to the going. The first race jumps at 12h30.
The weather could be an omen as Candice Bass-Robinson opts to take her chances with the What A Winter filly Clouds Unfold when she takes on the boys in the R200 000 Gr3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Candice Bass-Robinson saddles Clouds Unfold
It has been a decade since the last filly won this race – Empress Crown was coincidentally trained by Candice’ Dad, Mike.
With three runners in the fillies’ equivalent a half hour earlier, the move could well be a strategic or tactical one – whatever the intentions, the Drakenstein owned and bred galloper looks very capable of pulling it off and giving Mrs Robinson a double after Dutch Philip’s cracking win last year.
Clouds Unfold popped up on a relatively unfancied debut to beat subsequent two-time winner Carioca, and was then thrown into the deep end in the Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes on Sun Met day. She was not disgraced when finishing 6th (5,65 lengths) behind Traces. The latter subsequently fared modestly well in the Gr1 Medallion at the end of May when beaten 6 lengths into fifth by Van Halen. Clouds Unfold made it two from three when beating Western Angel in April. On Saturday she goes the 1200m for the first time but should enjoy it.
Joey Ramsden last won this race in 2014 with Kingvoldt and comes in with two quality runners – his third, Carnage, has been sold without engagements, and duly scratched.
Joey Ramsden – good form with his babies
The highly vaunted Arabian Air disappointed when tried over 1400m after showing up well over the course and distance at his first two starts – which included a second cheque in the Listed Somerset 1200.
Lucky Dancer who finished 6 lengths behind Carnage there after a respiratory noise was reported.
Mr Crumford was outgunned in the Somerset 1200, while Watch Me Dad could be the lurker in the pack after a vastly improved and impressive course and distance maiden win last time.
We are siding with the filly though to beat the boys.
