Warren Lenferna
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth serves up an enticing Christmas Eve programme featuring eight competitive races. The first is scheduled to go off at 12:40, with the final event at 16:45. Punter interest should be high, with several standout performers across the card.
Race One is a Workriders Maiden Plate over 1,000 metres and also kicks off the Bipot. Louis Burke, who has enjoyed notable success in these events, is booked to ride the rapidly improving Rachettu. The son of Vercingetorix, from the Justin Snaith yard, appears to be progressing with every start and could be confidently banked in the opening leg.
The second race, an Open Maiden over 1,200 metres, launches the Place Accumulator. Fantine looks hard to oppose here. Trained by Dean Kannemeyer and partnered by stable jockey Craig Zackey, she rates as the runner they all have to beat.
Race Three is the first leg of the Pick Six, a 1,200-metre Open Maiden for fillies. Cutie Patootie stands out as the confident first choice. She caught the eye on debut when finishing third to Playing Trix and should have improved significantly from that experience. The Querari filly is trained by André Nel, and in-form rider Aldo Domeyer retains the ride.
The fourth race on the programme is a Maiden Plate over 1,500 metres and gets the Jackpot underway at 14:25. In Motion has been knocking loudly on the door, finishing close up in his last four starts, and looks primed to shed his maiden tag. He may not find a better opportunity than this. Honorine’s Gimme and Spanish Verse appear to be his main dangers.
Race Five, over 1,000 metres at 15:00, sees Tenango from the Candice Bass yard earning the first vote. With Aldo Domeyer aboard once again, Tenango may have needed his recent comeback run after a highly successful KwaZulu-Natal campaign. He is clearly talented and boasts strong winning claims. Fire Attack, although dropping in distance, is another to respect and should be running on strongly late to make his presence felt.
The sixth race is a C Stakes up the straight. Apprentice Sifisokuhle Bungane has been catching the eye in the saddle and would have learned plenty from his ride on Rattlesnake last time. It is encouraging to see him retain the mount. The son of Buffalo Bill Cody is an honest performer, produced a fair effort last outing, and his form line is beginning to sparkle. Other runners worth considering include Catch A Penny, Playing Trix, All About Al, and Palace Gift.
Trainer Herman Brown has shown encouraging signs of late, having saddled both a winner and a runner-up recently, indicating his yard is in good form. He holds a strong hand in the seventh race, where Gold Index and The Night Ferry look set to fight out the finish. A slight preference goes to The Night Ferry, likely to enjoy a handy, possibly front-running ride under Richard Fourie.
The final race is a 1,600-metre Open Maiden for fillies and promises to be a highly competitive affair. Punters are advised to include as many runners as their budget allows in the exotics. Burning Desire is an intriguing contender, having caught the eye on debut, and should relish the step up to the mile.
