Port Louis may finally get rewarded at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday 24 April after a string of very good performances.
He lines up in Race 6, a Progress Plate over 1400m, and is one of some strong form choices on a day where the meeting is filled to the brim with quality.
Trainer Brett Crawford has his string in fine form and has three in the best race of the day, with Zil Moris and Zoomie fresh off running second and third in the East Cape Guineas in with claims as a back-up to Port Louis.
However, both are not as well in at the weights as Port Louis who also has a plum draw.
Coastal Commander is the best weighted horse. He is 3.5kg better off at the weights than he would be with Port Louis in a handicap.
He looked a fair type earlier and raised his game with impressive runs in the Cape Racing Gold Rush and the Grade 1 Cape Derby won by Hollywoodbets Durban July fancy Green With Envy. But he drops from 2000m to 1400m and is racing after a 60-day rest which could see him come up for air.
Port Louis on the other hand comes into the race after turning in a hard knocking effort when finishing second in the Grade 3 Variety Club Mile 18 days ago. He should hold the fitness advantage.
Richard Fourie rides Port Louis and looks to have a card full of good rides.
He could also get favourite backers off to a good start with Dixieland Band in Race 1, a Maiden Juvenile Fillies Plate over 1400m.
The Greg Ennion-trained filly has sprinted well even though bred for ground. She is by The United States from a female line steeped in stamina and will relish the trip. It appears an open race, but she has been given a plum gate and most of the rest are inexperienced types.
In Race 2, a 1100m Maiden Plate for fillies and mares, the form horse is Tequila Sky, but the word is out that Fourie’s ride, Bela Vista, for former boss Justin Snaith, could be hard to beat. Snaith has stated that she is a ‘top sort and one to follow’. She is after all from a family of champions including recent Grade 1 Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot and past stars Bela-Bela, Snowdance and Rabiya.
Snaith may also win his fair share on the day as he has form choices Daimyo and Kwite A King in Races 3 and 4 respectively. The former has the best of the draws and looks to be in the right race while the latter, who is an honest sort, has drawn wide and has a bit more to do as he runs in an Open Maiden where he has to give weight to most.
Fourie and Ennion could close the meeting with a winner as Wordsworth rates the form choice in Race 8, a Class 5 handicap.
Clive Robinson
