Joey Ramsden has a smart sort in Kingvoldt
Just when it was thought that the KZN juvenile features had set the benchmark in small fields, Saturday’s R125 000 Listed Somerset 1200m to be run at Kenilworth displays a similar apathy in terms of support. Seven runners go to post and one only need do the maths without the Justin Snaith trio of first timers pitching up.
Only four individual yards are represented and with a first cheque of R78 000 odd up for the taking (R26000 for second), it is puzzling indeed as to why more support is not forthcoming.
Surely taking a flyer with anything capable of possibly getting lucky is better than standing idle in a box at Phillipi or Milnerton? Now all we need is a token acceptance (those that help the race stand up) and then that gets withdrawn. Then we sit with a decimated field. But let’s wait and see.
Ramsden Duo
Joey Ramsden’s coupling of Cotton Hill and Kingvoldt looks a powerful combination. Kingvoldt was beaten 1,25 lengths on debut over Saturday’s course and distance by the more experienced Prince Of Magic, who he bumps again here.
Kingvoldt then came out on the same strip to beat Light The Lights unextended with the highly vaunted River God further back in third. Light The Lights since went down narrowly at his next start at Scottsville.
Bernard Fayd’herbe sticks with Kingvoldt and the crack heavyweight jockey was most impressed with the colt after winning on him. His stablemate Cotton Hill was beaten 5,95 lengths on his debut by Kingvoldt. He won his next start over the Kenilworth 1400m beating Aspen by 3,25 lengths in a small field. He now reverts to 1200m but looks well held by his stablemate.
Royal Runner
By that deduction, we need to take the Darryl Hodgson runner Prince Of Magic very seriously. The son of Latino Magic holds Kingvoldt and thus looks a likely winner, barring a market springer amongst the newbies.
One cautionary though is that Prince Of Magic faced Kingvoldt making his debut and the Ramsden Western Winter colt appeared to improve lengths at his next outing, benefitting from the experience.
Vaughan Marshall’s quick 2yo Olympian could challenge
Very Quick
Vaughan Marshall saddles the quick Scarlet Letter colt Olympian, who shed his maiden at his fourth start last time. After showing pace at his first three starts up the Kenilworth straight, he appeared to enjoy the Durbanville 1000m when beating Dean Kannemeyer’s promising King’s World by over 3 lengths.
Olympian won’t get away with helter skelter tactics down the Kenilworth 1200m and it will be interesting to see how Gerrit Schlechter rides him.
Betting Guide
The betting will be the best guide on the Snaith first timers. Alec Foster bred Bianzino, a son of Dynasty who on paper may need further to show his best ability. The colt will be ridden by Greg Cheyne.
High Class
In sharp contrast, the Klawervlei Stud bred Captain Blackwater looks like he could be speedy. He cost R550 000 on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1. By Captain Al, he is out of a high class Irish bred Danehill sprinting mare. He will be ridden by first choice jockey Richard Fourie.
The third of the trio and the second of the Alec Foster bred runners is Master’s Eye. The son of Jet Master is out of the Al Mufti mare Jettatura who won 7 races from 1200 to 2000m. All those wins were achieved in the Eastern Cape but she was precocious enough to win her debut outing.
First Choice
Joey Ramsden and Bernard Fayd’herbe are a form combination and Kingvoldt also looks promising. Barring a bomb of note amongst the Snaith trio, he is our selection towin at the expense of Prince Of Magic.
