Justin Snaith dominated the finish of the 2014 R250 000 Gr3 Victress Stakes when saddling the first two to finish. The former SA champion trainer brings the smart Danehill Dancer mare Acrostar to the table again, and even from an awful 17 draw, she must have a chance of atoning.
Acrostar could win today – even with a wide draw to overcome
With field sizes restricted to sixteen runner and eighteen standing their ground at final acceptance, it is good to see Kenilworth Racing exercising some discretion and agreeing to field all eighteen. Fate has already seen one withdrawal (7-Deputy Ryder) as we go to press, so the field has already whittled marginally.
Owner Sabine Plattner – feature winner today?
The Sabine Plattner-owned Australian bred Acrostar has been a model of consistency and was beaten by a terrific Sean Cormack ride last year when her lesser fancied stablemate Jet Supreme held her to a whisker.
After showing her wellbeing with a season opening win over the well-performed Sea Cat last time, there will be plenty who believe that Acrostar will beat her draw with top jockey Bernard Fayd’herbe in the irons.
Her relaxed racing style and the long run for home of the summer course will make Fayd’herbe’s task a touch more attainable – and she has the class to carry the day.
Acrostar ran five times in the recent KZN Champions Season and with three places, including an excellent third in the Gr2 Gold Bracelet, when beaten 0,55kgs by Gallica Rose.
Gallica Rose – slow starter but has come on leaps and bounds
The latter carries topweight on Saturday and has to give the Snaith runner 2kgs. Gallica Rose, a beautifully consistent daughter of Silvano, also has not had the benefit of a run and comes in off a 19 week break – which could count against her.
Mike Bass’ yard are nicely in form and they saddle one of the two 3yo’s in the Captain Al filly, Sublime Lady.
The Normandy bred filly has done little wrong with 1 win and 2 places in 5 starts and looks a fair proposition, with more improvement, froma 2 draw off a galloping 51,5kgs.
Her stablemate Come Fly With Me was beaten just over 2 lengths by Acrostar last time, but has a more advantageous 7 draw to jump from.
Come Fly With Me’s second to champion stablemate Inara in the Diana Stakes – and on her previous run to her – suggests that she is a very decent filly and capable of challenging if stripping fitter.
Crystal Cavern beats Elusive Stars and Moonsong Magic in the Stormsvlei
The Adam Marcus trained Crystal Cavern gets the services again of S’manga Khumalo and enjoys a 2kg weight swing with Acrostar for a 0,60 length beating last time.
This lovely Horse Chestnut filly has an electrifying turn of foot and will be flying at them late. She certainly ranks as a top three choice.
The Dennis Drier-trained Listed Jamaica Handicap winner Gathering Fame has not tasted success since last summer and looks well held by Gallica Rose at best.
KZN visitor Gathering Fame has been on the fringes lately
Her grey stablemate Pecan Nut caught the eye on her return run a month back and is a decent five-time winner who could boost quartets if getting some luck from that 13 draw.
Greg Ennion’s mostly consistent Moonsong Magic was beaten just under a length by Acrostar last time and has to find 2,5kgs on the Snaith mare.
She seldom runs a poor race and is out to show that she is more than a winter performer.
Dean Kannemeyer’s Indaba was outgunned in her two KZN Champion Season starts when well beaten and failed to spark in her return run.
The daughter of Dynasty has a place chance if recapturing her better 3yo form.
Cat And The Moon and Harvard Crimson make up the Snaith trio.
The former is top-class on her day but is drawn very wide and could need the run after a 15 week break.
Harvard Crimson has shown flashes of being better than rated and her eyecatching fourth in the Gr3 Diana Stakes was a good effort.
She is a daughter of Dynasty with a really good turn of foot and could be the joker in the pack from a 1 draw.
Weight Load
Darryl Hodgson’s Aussie bred Sensible Lover has drawn in Lansdowne and has to make up 5kgs plus on Acrostar on their last meeting.
Sensible Lover – outside place chance
Sensible Lover was unlucky in running at her last start but still looks to have a mountain to climb.
Neil Bruss’ Zante is a decent 4yo and has a Gr1 placed credit on her CV.
The daughter of Ideal World failed to run on in the Woolavington Handicap last time and is bound to be more comfortable against her own sex again.
Exciting stallion Warm White Night’s first ever winner Harlem Shake has won from 800m to 2000m and could be a tactical dark horse in this elevated company.
Her 12 draw is obviously a deterrent but her apprentice rider Heavelon Van Der Hoven has ridden some crackers from the front.
Can Cope looks outclassed in this company.
Acrostar is the choice to step up and beat her wide draw.
She is the selection at the expense of Crystal Cavern, Moonsong Magic and Come Fly With Me. Gallica Rose and Sublime Lady are inclusions for larger perms.
