Harry Lime is classy – but fitness could be suspect
The first Kenilworth racemeeting of the new term hosts an eight race programme on a welcome holiday Monday today. A highlight of the programme could be the seasonal debut of some class 4yo’s – including two sons of Var, in champion Val De Ra’s brother Vincente and Justin Snaith’s enigmatic talent, Harry Lime.
The National Women’s Day celebrations on 9 August mean that many will enjoy a well-earned rest today – and what better way to spend an unordinarily less-than-blue kickstart to the week, than at Kenilworth?
And it is a magnificent Cape August winter’s day of clear skies!
The mainliner of the day is a 1000m Progress Plate up the Kenilworth straight, where plenty of class is in evidence amongst the nine contestants.
Justin Snaith has a class pair in the race, and it is Fred Crabbia’s Rathmor Stud-bred Harry Lime that jumps out of the page – despite some obvious likely ring rustiness, courtesy of his 32 week break from racing.
The colt, once labelled a ‘galloper with a temperament to be a champion’ by his regular pilot Richard Fourie, has not exactly delivered on his juvenile promise, after a sizzling Gr2 Umkhomazi Stakes victory two Champions Seasons ago.
Two unplaced Gr1 efforts followed that win and then three runs as a 3yo culminated in a fair fourth behind the Europe-bound Varlo in the Need For Speed Sprint, run over Monday’s course and distance on 27 December last year.
Greg Cheyne rides him on Monday, and he could come out firing fresh.
Door Of Deception – back over shorter
Stablemate Door Of Deception is also a class act and will be ridden by new Snaith Stable jockey, Bernard Fayd’herbe.
The son of Count Dubois, a winner of the Listed Sophomore Sprint and the Listed East Cape Guineas at his last outing, shed his maiden over Monday’s course and distance, but looks a better horse around the turn – and definitely not as quick as Harry Lime.
The weight conditions see him carrying 3kgs more than his stablemate – and that may well proof a serious drawback over the minimum cut.
Vaughan Marshall – in hot form
The Vaughan Marshall yard has turned the corner into a hot form streak and the return to action last Wednesday after an injury enforced eight week break by stable rider MJ Byleveld will mean that it is all systems go.
Marshall saddles Ken and Jane Truter’s well-related Vincente, who won a cracker in an MR 96 Handicap last time of asking to register his third win, after a couple of disappointments. The fourth-placed Captain Blackwater subsequently ran the rampant Zubbadubbadoo to a half length – and is no slouch.
Vincente holds Door Of Deception on an earlier run and may well be coming into his own as a 4yo. He certainly is bred to go through the divisions over this trip!
The Darryl Hodgson-trained Triple Bluff returned from a three month break last time to run a 2,75 length behind the decent looking Captain Sam. He was reported to have made a respiratory noise there, but has won three and will strip fitter now.
Just Felicity wins her second start
Greg Ennion’s fairer sex coupling of Perpetua and Just Felicity are two speedy 3yo’s. They have performed well against their own gender, but the engagement of two capable claiming apprentices could be a master stroke by the Milnerton-based veteran.
Just Felicity particularly appeals off the 51,5kg mark with Cape champion apprentice Xavier Carstens in the irons.
Eric Sands’ lightly raced Captain Bagg returns from a 17 week break, when running over 12 lengths behind Triple Bluff. He will need to be taken on trust and the betting could be the best guide as to his prospects.
Vincente’s stablemate Seven Wood ran some way off Tar Heel in the Listed Somerset 1200 at his last start and, while he won early on, he may need a run or two after his 13 week break.
Glen Puller’s Power To Please carries just 50kgs and is drawn against the inside rail. So blitz tactics look a distinct likelihood.
He was not persevered with when trailed off on Met day and is likely to need a run or two – and may also well prefer further to show his best.
It should be a cracking spectacle of a race with the Ennion lightweight duo likely to try and run them off their feet. Harry Lime and Door Of Deception have the class, while Vincente looks to maturing nicely.
