His best chance is probably on Frozen Tune in the Cupid’s Arrow Maiden Juvenile. The Candice Bass-Robinson colt is one of only four with the considerable advantage of a previous run and he had Sailor Sam four and a half lengths behind when beating all except the more experienced Lucky Dancer here four weeks ago.

In the opening fillies juvenile maiden Van Niekerk’s mount European Roller heads the market at 33-10 with World Sports Betting but Justin Snaith adopts a cautious approach with his two-year-olds these days and he has yet to win a Cape Town juvenile race this term.

Joey Ramsden, on the other hand, has won three of the nine run so far and at this stage his Var filly Au Revoir, each way at 5-1, makes more appeal. Lucille (7-2) is the only one who has had a run but watch out for anything that is backed.

The Boston Rose is 13-10 favourite to score for Snaith and Van Niekerk in the Horses For Causes Maiden. She has finished second or third in the last four of her five starts and her form reads better than that of 33-10 second favourite Negma whose Durbanville third to Indian Song looked weak at the time and has not been franked.

There is little to choose between Hithimagainchuck, Bwana, Strategic Power and Dayonaut in race four but the first-named is favourite at 28-10, ran well on Met day and drops in class.

Franking (28-10) romped home six lengths clear in her first run out of the maidens and may be able to defy an eight-point increase in the Birthday Bonanza Handicap. Baroness Mary went up seven for her close third in the Listed Jamaica Handicap and is favourite at 2-1 while Dynasty’s Blossom (28-10) went up four for last time’s good run.

Quing on the other hand has come down 15 in just over a year and the 9-2 chance has been nibbled at. However she still hasn’t quite recovered her best form. Blinkers were tried seven months ago without success and are fitted again here.

Adam Marcus has hit form and Gyre (33-10) in race six could be another for Van Niekerk who should also win the last on Red Mars.

There has been little between Star Evolution and Love Of My Life in their last two races and the latter would seem an appropriate choice for the Valentine Victory Maiden. But Star Evolution is rated a kilo superior and has a better draw so Richard Fourie’s mount is preferred.

By Michael Clower