The Cape Racing calendar has reinvigorated the competition between trainers and jockeys alike, and the on-track action shows no sign of abating either as Saturday’s bumper 10-race card at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth is quickly followed by an eight-race midweek fixture, featuring several attractive propositions, at the Western Cape’s flagship course on Tuesday 25 June.
Well-bred debut winner Air Raid is likely to attract spirited betting interest on his reappearance in Race 1. While he may have a bright future and should improve with racing, this highly rated two-year-old colt (out of the stable’s multiple Grade 1 winner Inara) lacks the experience of Vaughan Marshall-trained last-start winners Worldly (colt) and Worldcraft (filly), both of whom are by exciting freshman sire One World.
Richard Fourie partnered Worldly to victory in his last start over 1200m and retains the ride, while Worldcraft will again be ridden by Ashton Arries, who was aboard the filly when she won over 1000m last month.
It could, however, pay to side with the latter after the form of her maiden win was boosted by the subsequent wide-margin victory of the runner-up. Worldcraft also enjoys the benefit of a 2.5kg sex allowance which could prove telling in the outcome.
Hard-knocking Querari gelding My Bestie is another value proposition in Race 5 over 1600m. Glen Kotzen’s six-year-old charge has dropped in the ratings to an attractive mark which has seen him rediscover his form and consistency in recent outings.
He jumped from the widest No 13 stall and was ridden ‘cold’ (positioned at the rear of the field) in his last over 1400m before making good late headway/progress under Robert Khathi to finish an eye-catching third off a merit rating of 73.
My Bestie drops in class and races off an unchanged mark over a distance more to his liking from a favourable No 3 gate, so is good value to end the 760-day wait for a fourth career success.
Versatile Brett Crawford-trained Princess Izzy is, arguably, the best bet on the card as the return to 1400m will suit the three-year-old filly who consistency, over distances from 1200m to 1800m, deserves to be rewarded.
This daughter of Master Of My Fate finished fourth in back-to-back Listed races (over 1600m and 1800m) last month, having won the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes over 1400m in her previous outing. By maintaining her form and consistency in both subsequent appearances, Princess Izzy has proven that she remains competitive off her current mark (under an eight-penalty), so punters can expect another good run for their money with Louie Mxothwa back in the irons – Kabelo Matsunyane rode her last time.
It is worth noting that Mxothwa steered Princess Izzy to her Listed success in April, so all the ingredients (return to 1400m with Mxothwa aboard) are provided for that winning recipe to bear more fruit.
Clive Robinson
