Justin Snaith, 41 last Thursday, needs just seven more winners to reach 2 000 and Captain Swarovski can take him a step nearer this notable landmark – and at a good price too – in the Itsarush.co.za Graduation Plate at Kenilworth today.
Justin Snaith (Nkosi Hlophe)
He also runs the four-month absent Harry Lime but stable jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe is on the Captain and Snaith says: “They are both very well but I think that Captain Swarovski would be the one on his gallop which was very impressive.”
This is an open race because a number of the eight runners unlikely to run up to their merit ratings. One that almost certainly will is The Tripster who has good recent form but, if the handicappers have got it right, he has one of the worst chances!
Light The Lights is best-rated and has 3kg in hand of the next best (Harry Lime). “He is better over further but his last run, which was over this trip, was good,” says Glen Kotzen. “It’s a very competitive race but I believe he is a big runner. After this he goes for the Jet Master on Saturday week and, if he qualifies, he will go for the J & B Met.”
Captain Nemo started odds-on at Turffontein on his last start for Geoff Woodruff and joined Brett Crawford not long afterwards. He has a chance on ratings. “I am still learning about him but he put up a nice grass gallop,” says his new trainer.
Silicone Valley is 1.5kg worse with Prince Of Thieves for the two lengths Aldo Domeyer’s mount beat him over this distance last month but Silicone Valley was repeatedly baulked that day and should be able to confirm the placings. He was 5-2 favourite with Betting World yesterday but there was money for Captain Nemo who shortened from 4-1 to 33-10. Light The Lights and The Tripster were next at 9-2 while the two Snaith horses were 6-1 chances as was Prince Of Thieves.
Harry Lime (Nkosi Hlophe)
The Dennis Drier-trained Ferrie is odds-on for the opening maiden. He is held in high regard and finished third first time but the same applies to Percival who looks value at 5-2. He would have finished a lot closer on debut had he got away on terms and Andre Nel spoke highly of him beforehand, saying: “He can run and he is very smart.”
Nel and Fillies Guineas hero Domeyer may also win race three with 18-10 favourite Keep On Chooglin who has won both his starts. He went up only 2kg for his last win and, given normal improvement, he should be able to give weight all round. Seymour is second favourite at 5-2 but Panga Panga (9-2) looks just as big a danger.
Tender Trip is 18-10 favourite but 4-1 chance Variance from the Vaughan Marshall stable has the form to win the Summer Of Champions Maiden. Brooklyn Brawler (12-10) could be another for Snaith in race five. However he will have to put his best foot forward if he is to beat Crawford’s 5-2 shot Rock On Geordies who showed promise on debut.
BLOB Michael Clower concluded last Friday’s Fillies Guineas preview by saying: “Our Destiny is probably best of the long shots.” She came second at 100-1.
By Michael Clower
