Kryptonite, badly interfered with by a winning stable companion a fortnight ago, can gain compensation in the opening Gold Circle Maiden at Durbanville tomorrow.
“She is not a champion,” warns Candice Robinson. “She showed nothing before her first run but she should have finished second last time had Moonlight ‘N Roses not spooked and she has come on since.”
Grant van Niekerk, suspended for seven days for failing to prevent the interference, was down to ride but he has decided to take the ban early so that he is free to ride next weekend and so Aldo
Domeyer has switched from second string Aunty Carol.
Domeyer’s first problem is going to be how to overcome his eight draw – Candice is optimistic that he will be able to slot into a decent position – and then he has to look out for Dance At Dawn and Valediction.
The former finished over halfway down the field on debut but she was only beaten four lengths and is bound to have improved while Valediction might well have won with a clear run on her last start two months ago. “She was very unlucky that day,” recalls Darryl Hodgson who believes she will be fit enough – “She is a light sort and she doesn’t take much work.”
Echuka, 2kg better with Jo’s Bond for a length and a quarter, could give Domeyer a quick double in the Gold Circle Handicap but the Justin Snaith-trained filly has already won over this course and distance and that advantage may enable her to confirm the placings.
Vaughan Marshall for once drew a blank on Wednesday but Sandton Rocker may be able to make all to beat Indonesia and Pegasi in the Pick 6 No Couplings Maiden.
The 1 300m handicap 40 minutes later is wide open but Mr Bond appeals despite being off longer than any of his seven rivals and giving weight to most of them. He was good enough to win first time but finished second last when upped in class in the Somerset a fortnight later.
“The Somerset came too soon for him and he just wasn’t ready for it,” says Brett Crawford. “He looks well and is doing very well. I think he will be fit enough.”
Fifty Cents has not dissimilar credentials but Snaith is not optimistic about his chance, saying: “He is a nice horse but I think he has it all to do. It’s his first time out of the maidens, he has never been to Durbanville before and he has never seen a turn.”
While Mr Bond is the selection a few Rand each way on Robertson could be tempting because he will be a big price. He is a course winner and loves nothing more than going off like a bat out of hell. He usually gets swallowed up before the end but this course favours front runners with the 600m straight downhill all the way to the line.
BLOB The jockeys wore black armbands here on Wednesday as a mark of respect to Rhona Beck who died in London that morning at the age of 78. A noted owner in her own right, she was the widow of bloodstock legend Graham Beck and their son Antony owns the famous Gainesway Farm stud in Kentucky.
By Michael Clower
Picture: Aldo Domeyer
