Tutorial looks nailed on for the opener at Durbanville tomorrow when the biggest danger is the price. The Vaughan Marshall runner opened at a value 16-10 with World Sports Betting on Wednesday but those odds didn’t survive the night and by yesterday morning 15-20 was the best on offer.
That is short enough but there is no denying the claims of M.J. Byleveld’s mount. He was considered good enough to make his debut in the Listed race on Met day and, pushed along for much of the way, he caught the eye running on late and was only beaten five lengths. Winning Ways made him one to follow.
Only one of his five opponents has yet to see a racecourse in earnest and that is Mister Vargus (5-2 to 7-2) who was less than four lengths fifth of seven to Double Alliance, subsequently a length and half in front of Tutorial in the Met day race. Vivant (28-10) is the shortest priced of the newcomers but it is far harder for a first-timer to win here than it is at Kenilworth.
There is as little to choose between Capacity Crowd (28-10) and Drama Queen (5-2) in race two as the betting would suggest. The Eric Sands runner came out less than half a length the better when the pair made their debuts three weeks ago but on this occasion Drama Queen may just come out on top. She has much the worst of the draw but we have seen before that a poor draw here can be overcome with relative ease when you are up against inexperienced two-year-olds.
Aldo Domeyer can follow up on Procrastination 35 minutes later. The Andre Nel filly showed plenty of promise on debut, albeit in what could be quite a modest race. The favourite won easily but our selection had the third over three lengths back. But watch out for stable companion Silver Beauty. She has not raced since finishing five lengths-fifth on debut in December but she has been backed from 11-1 to 9-2 second favourite.
Domeyer is the top jockey at the country course in the past 12 months and he should have few problems bettering his 17% average strike rate tomorrow. He has an obvious chance on Nel’s Metropolitan in race four and rides 3-1 favourite Secret Depths for Mike Robinson (in double form at Kenilworth on Tuesday) in the next. He also has a good each way chance on 11-2 shot Woodstock Fairy in race six.
Domeyer is taken to win the Interbet Maiden (race seven) on 22-10 favourite Lip Service, a relatively rare ride for Joey Ramsden. But winning the last on newcomer Susie’s Son is a tall order and here the vote goes to Robinson’s Fateful.
By Michael Clower
