Jingle Belle gets another chance to show her potential in the Summer Of Champions Maiden at Durbanville today after missing her engagement a fortnight ago when she was under medication.
“It was routine medication but, as the meeting was on the Tuesday rather than the usual Wednesday, I didn’t want to take any chances,” says Andre Nel, adding: “She ran above expectations first time.”
Indeed she did, coming from last two furlongs out to finish a most encouraging third despite starting at 35-1. Stable companion Leisure Trip (second) has franked the form by winning since.
Aldo Domeyer
However she is no certainty. Apart from anything else she is drawn quite wide and she has never been to Durbanville for a gallop. The obvious threat is Secret Plan who started favourite here last time but was caught a bit wide and was run out of it close home. This Vaughan Marshall filly opened 22-10 joint favourite with Jingle Belle and Sugar Frosted with World Sports Betting yesterday but, surprisingly, nobody wanted to know and she was 9-2 yesterday. Jingle Belle, on the other hand, hardened to 13-10 while the Joey Ramsden runner shortened to 18-10.
Sugar Frosted ran well enough to win this in two starts last year but has not been seen since her second in May when she returned choked up and blowing hard. “She has been back in work for a long time,” says assistant Ricardo Sobotker. “She hasn’t been to Durbanville but she has been doing nicely.”
Form horse State Ballet has been scratched from the opening five furlong maiden. A rope burn at the back of a hind heel opened up when she disappointed at Kenilworth on Saturday and Riaan van Reenen had to put her on medication.
Andre Nel’s newcomers Telekinesis and Cuduiari head the market. Aldo Domeyer had the choice and plumped for Cuduiara who is favourite – 22-10 with WSP and 2-1 with Betting World – while Bernard Fayd’ Herbe’s mount is 5-2 with both firms.
Nel says that neither of his has been to Durbanville and neither is that special. He feels that Domeyer may have gone for the wrong one. This is a difficult course for first-timers but, with so little to beat from those that have raced, a tentative vote goes to Telekinesis.
Adorada has been supported for race two from 22-10 to 16-10 while second favourite Excellent has eased from 5-2 to 7-2. However both were raised a kilo for their last runs and preference is for Good Grace who looks value at 11-2.
Another to bear in mind is 7-1 chance Pirangi. It’s her first time out of the maidens but she did win quite comfortably three weeks ago. “She has her work cut out but I think she is in with a shout at the weights,” says Mike Robinson.
By Michael Clower
