There is plenty of good racing to look forward to and lots of money to make on an enticing 10-race card at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 11 May.
And with leading Cape Town jockey Grant van Niekerk missing through suspension and record-chasing Richard Fourie riding at the same-day Greyville meeting – that includes the Grade 2 WSB 1900, a key Hollywoodbets Durban July trial – Aldo Domeyer is likely to steal the show with a potential three-timer to better the feats of rivals Louie Mxothwa and visiting Kwa-Zulu Natal jockey Sean Veale, both of whom are good value to ride two winners apiece from their competitive book of riders.
Despite relinquishing his position as first-choice rider to Candice Bass-Robinson, Domeyer has continued to boot home the winners regularly. Only Fourie and Van Niekerk have ridden more winners in Cape Town this season, although Domeyer does boast a better Win strike-rate than both rivals.
And he could add to his tally in Race 2 aboard Justin Snaith-trained stable favourite Rio Querari in an ultra-competitive 1100m sprint that features familiar foes Mufasa and Bereave among his six rivals.
The latter, who is the best-weighted runner in Race 2, has had the edge over Rio Querari in recent times, with Adam Marcus’ charge finishing third – ahead of the former Equus Champion Sprinter – in both the Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship over 1000m as well as the 1200m Grade 2 Diadem Stakes in his latest appearances 11 weeks ago.
Rio Querari has made three starts in that time, maintaining his form and consistency on each occasion, and his recent race fitness is likely to tip the balance of this rematch in his favour. On the form of their course-and-distance meeting on 2 April, when 0.75 lengths separated the pair, Domeyer’s mount should also turn the tables on Mufasa (1.5kg worse off) who Mxothwa rides for Brett Crawford.
Piet Steyn’s Potala Palace gelding Prince Of Tibet has finished a close-up fourth under Domeyer in consecutive recent outings over 1200m and over 1600m last time out. He wore blinkers in both starts but the headgear is dispensed with in Race 4 over 1400m and Domeyer may have had something to do with that decision, so it is encouraging he keeps the ride.
Mxothwa and Veale will likely exchange blows with alternating victories – the former in Races 4 and 6; the latter in Races 5 and 7.
The Crawford-Mxothwa combination, responsible for two winners at the last midweek Cape Town meeting on 30 April, is represented by three-year-old Master Of My Fate gelding Aladdin’s Lamp, who was a fast-finishing second last time out, in Race 4 over 1800m.
On the evidence of that eye-catching performance over 1400m, Aladdin’s Lamp is likely to unlock further improvement over the extra 400m which should see him shed his maiden tag for owner Mr Murugasa. His silks could be seen to the fore again after the running of Race 6, as the same jockey-trainer-owner triumvirate is represented by another smart Master Of My Fate three-year-old, Big Unit.
After winning four starts back, this maturing colt has acquitted himself competitively from wide barrier positions in each of his last three outings under a two-point penalty. Big Unit earned himself another point increase from the assessor after a narrow 1600m defeat in his last start three weeks ago but still looks good value for a confident Win bet with a favourable No 2 gate sure to aid his cause.
Snaith-trained Master Of Paris represents the middle leg of a hat-trick for three-year-old sons of Varsfontein Stud’s resident stallion Master Of My Fate. This grey gelding was rewarded for his consistency with a last-start success over 1600m, albeit at a slightly lower level, and should remain competitive off a four-point higher mark in Race 5 with Veale aboard for the first time.
Senhora Victoria has run well in defeat recently in two starts under Veale, who will need to have his wits about him when the gates swing open at the 1400m mark for Race 7 as this Eric Sands-trained mare is awkwardly positioned in stall No 13.
As fate would have it, this hard-knocking five-year-old handicapper is also a daughter of Master Of My Fate.
Senhora Victoria could only finish 10th over track and trip last time but was beaten just 3.75 lengths from the same No 13 gate in a stronger race on that occasion, so her reduced rating makes her an attractive betting proposition at this level.
With three jockeys likely to have ridden two winners apiece, Domeyer is best equipped to deliver the decisive blow in Race 8, with exciting two-year-old O’Tenikwa a welcome pick-up ride over 1200m, replacing Corne Orffer who steered this Vercingetorix colt to victory on debut.
Andre Nel’s charge could not have been more impressive in winning over the same course and distance that day, and it should pay to his follow progress.
Clive Robinson
