Solana looks good for the Bishops Handicap at Kenilworth tomorrow despite this being her first run out of the maidens.
Aldo Domeyer’s mount ran out a comfortable winner over this course and distance last month and the handicappers gave her a rating of 78 which was what the bare result justified. However they did not add anything for what she appeared to have in hand – at least a length and quite possibly twice that.
Andre Nel confirms her in good shape and, although World Sports Betting are giving nothing away at 12-10, she should be able to concede a kilo to probable danger Arabian Winter.
Justin Snaith has won five of the six Cape Town two-year-old races in which he has had a runner this season and R300 000 Var newcomer Contessa Confessa is 12-10 for the opening Maiden Juvenile. He also introduces Alpha Girl (7-1) who riding arrangements indicate should be the second string.
Snaith, speaking at Durbanville on Wednesday and stressing that yesterday’s final gallop might change things, said: “Contessa will probably need the run and Alpha Girl might finish the closer.”
Corker is the one to get excited about on pedigree. The R480 000 Pathfork filly is out of a half-sister to In The Fast Lane (Cape Fillies Guineas and Woolavington) and Met fourth Light The Lights. She is a 6-1 chance and Glen Kotzen says: “She has only had the one gallop but she is a lovely filly who has come on by leaps and bounds. She will be competitive.”
But the vote goes to Extradite who has the advantage of experience and was quoted at evens yesterday. It was no disgrace to be beaten by the potentially high class The Secret Is Out and the Mike Bass filly should benefit from the in-form Grant van Nierkerk who won the first four at Durbanville on Wednesday.
Vaughan Marshall, who really rates The Secret Is Out, can win the Bishops Cricket Maiden with 11-10 shot Arctic Blast. The once-raced Q Behind Me (33-10) is an obvious danger. “She has come on a little bit,” reports Nel but he doubts her ability to come home in front in this.
Kado (10-1) drops back in trip after disappointing over 1 400m. “He was caught wide that day,” explains Eric Sands. “He is bred for a lot further but I thought I would give him another run up the straight. It’s not his game but he is not without a chance.”
Don’t ignore Torchman at 7-1 either. The form of his seven-length second to Orion Quest seemed to take a knock when Knight Of Glory (fifth) flopped on Wednesday but that horse was reported not striding out.
Mr Bond, 28-10 joint favourite with the hat-trick seeking Al Dangeur, gets the vote in the Snaith Racing Handicap. I Am The Law (15-4) is weighted to reverse the placings with Al Dangeur but is he is as good over 1 200m? “I’m not sure,” says Nel. “But he went to win his race over 1 400m last time and didn’t quite finish.”
Due West is 22-10 favourite for the Klawervlei Stud Maiden but the consistent Five Star Rock is rated slightly better and gets the vote at 28-10.
By Michael Clower
