Alistair Cohen
There are often some treasures to be found during Cape Town’s winter series of feature races. There is often a long game in mind for horses with upside who are not quite ready for the warmer pleasures in Durban during winter. Future Free is a half brother to reigning Horse Of The Year Eight On Eighteen and he is likely nowhere near the same class. But, he is heading the right way and he could scoop the Listed Pocket Power Stakes over 1950m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth tomorrow.
His last run came in Leg 2 of this series which has produced Pocket Power, Marinaresco and African Night Sky. Over 1800m, the Listed Legal Eagle Stakes he finished a pleasing 2,05-length third behind La Pulga who is an entry for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, albeit optimistic. Future Free has always struck as a horse who will kick on as his career develops and as he is sent over further distances which he gets to venture over.
He is only a three-year-old which suggests there is plenty left in the tank. He gives the impression that this is the start of good times to come and he could be a step higher up the ladder in a few months when the sun shines slightly warmer in Cape Town. Andrew Fortune takes the ride for Justin Snaith.
Snaith sends out the lightly raced Prairie Dawn who is the most interesting runner in the race. He showed tons of courage to worm through a tight gap last time at Hollywoodbets Durbanville when lesser heart would have seen him with a hard luck story. With only six career starts, this must be a signal of intent from Snaith. From beating Show Off who has been disappointing to running against some solid campaigners is a huge ask. Craig Zackey was complimentary about his future. Keep an eye on him as the months go by. A good showing would put him in place for high hopes in the future.
Otto Luyken holds an optimistic entry for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. A win here might not do his chances many favours but it would keep him alive to qualify for Africa’s Greatest Race. His effort in the Legal Eagle Stakes was fair when he finished just under three lengths behind La Pulga. He seems held by Future Free. This extra distance is in his favour and he is a good horse when he decides to be at his best with a long, fluent stride.
Aquae Calidae ran a bold race on debut when he finished second behind Kalahari King. He showed a unique running style with his head low down demonstrating immaturity. He runs in race 1 over 1200m. His high number draw of No 10 down the straight is not ideal but he showed good pace first-up and experience could help his cause.
Spinnaker is a lovely looker and he also put up a sparkling first effort when he finished behind The Cullinan over 1200m. He steps up to 1400m in race 2. He is a half brother to Grade 2 WSB Guineas winner Sail The Seas. He hit the line with plenty in hand last time behind an experienced horse who also has a touch of ability. This looks like a hot maiden so he could face equally stiff opposition but impressions were high after his debut and he could make enough progress to win.
Signor Dante plummets in class in race 3 over 1400m. The doubt attached to his chances is if he can handle the drop in distance. He hints that his next win would come over slightly further and his running style backs that idea up. He has run against Note To Self, Eric Liddell, Prairie Dawn and Future Free in his last four runs. All of those horses would be warm order favourites in a race of this nature.
Lava Strike improved in his last run when he finished close-up behind Vercicat. There is no evident reason for him showing zero to finishing second so perhaps natural progression served him well. He gets the services of Richard Fourie in race 4 over the same 1200m distance. There is a real paucity of compelling form in this event.
If Moody Blue has the legs to win over 1200m, he looks like he has the right form in race 5. Andrew Fortune is the man for the job to see if he can be as effective over this trip. His recent runs have come against stronger. There is not much predicted rain leading into this meeting which takes off some doubt. If he is rolled, just about anything in the race can win.
Eric Liddell trotted up in his last run. He is on the up. If Signor Dante wins a few races earlier, Eric Liddell becomes even more appealing. He runs in race 6 over 1950m. He faces a competitive field against some well-tried older hard knockers who will not be easy to fend off. He seems like he is maturing rapidly enough to give him the benefit of the doubt. Scottish Links, Gentleman Joe, Fort Liam and Song To The Moon all stack up as contenders.
Charlie Bucket is somehow still a maiden. He has finished in the runner-up spot in his last three runs. Horses who beat him have not looked out of place going a step higher. He might be his own worst enemy because he leaves himself too much to do but the extra trip to 1600m is worth a roll in race 8. This is not quite now or never because there seems to be a few runners of interest but he would be a popular and deserving winner.
