Alistair Cohen
Although there is nothing that punters can bang their chests about at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday afternoon, a few wildly exciting races await. So many cases are to be made which should allow for good finishes. There is some quality on the midweek card with the added spice of a likely wet track after the deluge of rain in Cape Town last week.
Boogiefied heads the shortlist in race 5 over 1400m which is an intriguing event. He has compelling form but more than that, his form on a soft track sways opinion towards him. He could oblige under Keagan de Melo for the in-form Andre Nel yard.
From eight runs on a soft or yielding course he has two wins and six places to his name. Those six places have a few near misses so he has proven to be reliable in the expected underfoot conditions. His last run came a month ago when he finished 1,75 lengths behind Major Master in second over 1600m at this course.
It is not to claim that he is a mudlark. Nel has developed this horse into a consistent horse in all conditions but he has always given the impression that he is a step better in the soft. Added to that, although he has won and featured over 1600m, he also runs his absolute best over this trip. De Melo is also one-from-one on the son of Justify.
Soho Heartthrob is respected and he must have a shout at the weights. Dean Kannemeyer has taken his time since his arrival from Lucky Houdalakis’ yard at the Vaal and his form has stepped up with every start. He finished 0,7 lengths behind Boogiefied when they met in March but he is 1,5kg worse off but his improvement from every run sine relocation is worth noting. He has always hinted at ability before losing his way. Craig Zackey is up for his boss.
Pay The Palace has run with the best of his generation and shown that he is not far off them. He should be competitive taking on the slight drop in class.
Please Be True makes up the list of winning chances. His return from a three-month break last time was full of merit over 1200m behind Give It Laldy. This run might come too soon before he is back to his best which is easily good enough to win a race of this nature, but he is expected to run better and make his presence felt.
Race 8 over 1000m sees some of the same old suspects try and knock each other off. Elusive Winter and North Point will ensure there will be a good speed on. They are among the fastest in the country. They might also feel the heavy course when it matters most but they are gutsy. Preference is for Demanding Dave who reunites with Andrew Fortune. He has stepped into the plate three times and won on all three occasions. Trainer Mike Stewart has managed Demanding Dave’s career very well and there are ambitions to get him into high level races during summer. He was a touch unlucky in his last run, the Easter Sprint when he ran into traffic problems in a messy race. There is no blame onto Grant van Niekerk who deputized for Fortune who was injured at the time. He was a victim of circumstance. He just should have finished closer.
Snowbird and In Hot Water should fight out race 1 over 1200m. Snowbird has a high cruising speed and the experience of two runs could help her exit the maidens and make amends for being a beaten favourite last time. In Hot Water has scope to improve. She ran a pleasing debut when second behind Mystic Inferno. The level of that form is still under the spotlight but she could step forward enough.
Rubee King was all the rage on debut when he found sustained betting support but greenness beat him when just over a length behind Earn The Weekend over 1200m at this course. He has his second career look in race 2 and judging by the expectations on debut, he could step up enough. Redford is considered as his biggest danger with two pleasing runner-up finishes to date behind Rich Man’s World and Tag And Release, two names worth remembering.
Rabdan could lead them home in race 3 over 1000m. He too has found some good opposition to date. He ran in the Summer Juvenile Stakes in January which he found too hot when the very promising Red Spice won. Last time might have been disappointing race-time when he finished fourth behind Tag And Release. But, Tag And Release has now won at Listed level so there is no reason to be disheartened.
There are a few ready to win in race 4 over 1400m. Redlight Lane could get her reward but Scandalize, Giddy Up Grace, Nicci’s Law and Before Sunrise are all in the same boat. Redlight Lane was touched off in the boardroom in her last run when the Steward’s Board upheld an objection and awarded the race to Mon Papillon. Fortune takes over for Justin Snaith. All those mentioned would be deserving winners but one feels Redlight Lane is just a step closer.
Trainer Piet Botha had a miserable 2025 but his yard has sparked of late and his runners could be worth siding with in races 6 and 7. Baton Rouge nearly stole his last run when he was collared late over the same 1800m trip. Eric Lidell ran away with purpose and they will probably not parade again together. There is nothing with as much upside as Eric Lidell here so Baton Rouge could get the job done.
Shifting Path is picked to complete a double for Botha a race later. He is consistent in all going but he runs his best races in the soft. There are always hints that another win is close. This is not a strong race but his main dangers are better at Hollywoodbets Durbanville so his fans will be hoping that he takes advantage.
Anything can win race 9 over 1000m. A golden oldie in the form of Fort Red would be a popular winner. The eight-year-old is an eight-time winner having his 84th start. He has as much chance as anything. Mpumi Mjoka rides for Mike Stewart who could have a good afternoon.
