Tough and Talented. Kinematic Countess is the proven runner in Saturday’s Listed Banyana Handicap
The R150 000 Listed Banyana Handicap to be run over the Vaal 1000m on Saturday looks a proverbial trap for punters. Roy Magner’s Kinematic Countess could be the right choice, but there are a few lighter weighted sorts down the scale that bear watching.
Last year’s run-ning of this speed feature is still very clear in the minds for those of us that watched the fascinating contest. The helter skelter brigade went a mad dash early, before Robbie Fradd produced Diane Stenger’s very smart Sapphire Ring in the final stages to win going away in the Peter White silks.
We could see a repeat here, with plenty of speed in evidence. But beyond the likes of Kinematic Countess, War Path,Centimes and Ikati, the rest are probably only average hopefuls, on a good day.
Seasoned
Roy Magner’s Kahal mare Kinematic Countess is a seasoned campaigner and a winner of 7 of her 34 starts. She is an intelligent and talented racemare , who knows that her best effort is required near the winning post.
She ran sixth behind Sapphire Ring last year, but has a perfect opportunity to set the record straight here. Gunter Wrogemann rode her last time when she won a cracker over the course and distance, beating the Naidoo trained Ikati.
Patient
Ikati is a daughter of Cataloochee who takes her time to get into stride, but inevitably runs on strongly on the sand. She meets Kinematic Countess on 5,5kgs better terms and is capable of upsetting, if one has the courage to risk her late dash style.
Well Bred
Mike De Kock and Anthony Delpech team up with the beautifully bred Shamardal mare, Centimes, who returns as an unknown quantity after a lengthy rest. She has not run for over a year, but showed terrific promise and ran two smart seconds after winning easily on debut. While the betting may be the best guide, she looked a classy and racy sort and De Kock knows how to get them ready to fire after a break.
Lightly Raced
Charles Laird and Robbie Fradd team up with the Captain Al 3yo, War Path, who is a lightly raced and pacy sort. If one discounts her two Group feature starts, she has won both of her other races and steps onto the sand as an unknown quantity. She is the youngest filly in the race, and won’t have things all her own way.
Paul Matchett saddles the Kahal mare Cante Libre, who is a kilo better off with Kinematic Countess for a 1,50 length beating last time when she ran very freely. She is a winner of 4 of her 26 starts and is a very speedy course and distance winner, who comes in on bottomweight.
Erasmus
Leon Erasmus is always a stable to watch on the sand and he saddles Club Captain, who is 3,5kgs better off with Kinematic Countess after running some 6,10 lengths back in fifth there. The daughter of Captain Al has won 3 races and is a course and distance winner, who is capable of delivering a surprise. Erasmus also saddles Ivan Snyman’s battling Pleasure Jet, who is one of the joint bottomweights. The daughter of Jet Master put in two fair sand efforts recently, and is capable of running a place if she gets away early.
Puzzle
All told, this is a puzzling contest. Kinematic Countess has the proven record and an ability to carry weight. Centimes looks classy, and if she strips fit from a top yard, she will go very close. War Path was considered good enough for some serious feature action, and won her two other starts in good style. Ikati looks overdue to win something decent. Go wide if the budget permits.
