Bernard Fayd’Herbe, in Dubai since Met day, can score on his first ride back at Durbanville tomorrow when European Roller has a favourite’s chance of giving Justin Snaith a belated first Cape Town two-year-old winner of the season.

Bernard Fayd’Herbe (Liesl King)

Snaith used to go for it from the start with his juveniles – he won the Listed race on the day of the Met five years in succession – but high handicap marks convinced him that it was in the long term interest of his horses to adopt a more patient approach. Snowdance did not race until mid-February and it was April before Oh Susanna saw a racecourse in earnest.

This season the patience has been even more pronounced but European Roller has two runs under her belt and, after running green first time, she beat all except future stars Nous Voila and Canukeepitsecret. She is 19-10 favourite for the Fillies Maiden Juvenile, is well drawn and looks the one they all have to beat.

Fayd’Herbe’s mount holds 22-1 shots Talk The Tiger and Ducky Fuzz. Second favourite Yolta (15-4) was beaten seven lengths when third to stable companion Carioca but it’s the newcomers who may prove the biggest dangers. Million Rand purchase Santa Clara is the most expensive of these and it’s worth noting that three of Candice Bass-Robinson’s four two-year-old winners this term have been with first timers.

Grant van Niekerk rides 6-1 stable companion Lesedi La Rona – he is retained by Drakenstein – and Greg Cheyne is on R275 000 buy Marmalade Sky as the filly is part-owned by Ridgemont. With Vaughan Marshall’s juveniles on fire it is surprising, and possibly significant, that Dancing For Rain (by Rock Of Gibraltar) has drifted from 3-1 to 5-1 but they all have it to do to beat European Roller.

The log leader may also win the next with 33-10 chance Master’s Spirit who failed on Met day but on his previous start is 2.5kg better with Phelan Lucky for a length and a quarter. That should be enough to turn the tables.  Phelan Lucky is 5-2 favourite with World Sports Betting. Vincente (33-10) second favourite, has been raised three points for his win earlier in the month while stable companion Olympian (7-2) has been off for almost four months.

In the Tabonline Maiden Miss Smarty Pants is very short at 8-10 for a horse who has been a beaten favourite on her last two starts but main market rival Strawberry Fire has not raced for four months. The latter’s stable companion Love Of My Life should beat Oloye and Blue Flower in race seven.

By Michael Clower