Alistair Cohen
Smatterings of fair form throughout his career but possibly not delivered on promise. He has not been the easiest horse to read but when he decides to ramp up, he can mix with some far better than who he meets in race 7 over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville today.
Do not be underwhelmed or put off by his last run. Challenging a horse over an extended distance is always worth the experiment. If it does not work, the trainer can always revert to basics. That is exactly the story with his last start over 1600m. He did not stay so back to his happy place is where Nordic Chief heads.
Prior form reads consistently and he has kept good company. His penultimate run came over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth when he ran 1,75 lengths behind subsequent Grade 2 Splashout Prix Du Cap winner, Stormwatch. He gave the well weighted filly a good challenge when he ultimately finished third. Close-up behind the likes of Voorloopertjie and One Liner also reads in his formlines. Those horses are always worth their salt in strong handicaps placed just below group form.
He has not won since March 2025 when he turned over the well performed Elusive Winter. Perhaps the cycle of late summer works for him. Sean Veale does not get many rides for Andre Nel but he steps aboard here.
Scottish Kiss enjoys this course and his rapid rise up the ranks necessitated him racing against some strong opposition without any disgrace. He is down in class which should make him a threat to Nordic Chief.
He has won with a slipped saddle before and his versatility took him through the divisions. Quirky at the start of his career, Justin Snaith has been able to assist him reaching a level that looked out of reach a year ago. His last run came behind former Grade 1 winner Snow Pilot in late January when he received 7,5kg to a far superior horse but finished 1,25 lengths behind. These calmer waters must give him a winning shot. Tristan Godden makes a rare visit to Cape Town which is great to see after doing duty on Okavango for Snaith at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last Sunday in the Listed Kings Cup.
What A Fortune punches above his weight and always warrants consideration especially at this course. He should not be far away from the action. He too looked short of this class a year ago but he has climbed the ladder quietly to look competitive against some useful rivals.
To the start of the card, race 1 over 1400m sees Captain’s Angel plumet in class. From the Listed JC Le Roux Summer Juvenile Stakes in late January to this class must give him an outstanding chance. He finished 4,4 lengths behind Red Spice who subsequently won the Grade 3 Ridgemont Cape Of Good Hope Nursery. The level of that form sticks out.
Fortune One gave his career best when last seen. He should back that performance up in race 2 over 1250m. He finished second behind Trois Sept Huit over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Had the winner stayed straight he would have won easier but at least Fortune One stepped up from some moderate form. That was his first run after a three-month rest so that effort must have done him some good. Aldo Domeyer is up for Candice Bass.
There is some good maiden form to work with in race 3 over 1600m and a few look to have chances. Mercenary is given the narrow verdict over Spanish Verse and Trip To Camelot.
Mercenary has not had the most luck in running finding traffic and not unwinding in time. Sometimes he just did his best work too late in the race. The track should still be running fast so hopefully he is not left with too much to do but expect him to hit the line with plenty in hand. JP van der Merwe rides for Lucinda Woodruff.
Vixens War is a 10-start maiden who is banging at the door. She probably has her best chance to date in race 4 over 1600m. Back against her own sex and not carrying top weight despite her compelling form, everything looks set to stack up well for her under Chad Little. She has been placed in her last two runs to take her tally to six places. Despite being costly to follow, this must be the day she visits the winners’ box.
King’s Quest has always reportedly shown good work but hardly delivered that on course. He scraped a narrow win over It Is My Time in his most recent start at this course over 1400m. He is back over the same trip in race 5. If he has gained any confidence from that victory, he could show that he is ahead of this class, something he has always hinted. The bravery he showed last time was a rarity so hopefully he is coaxed into being a little more genuine. If he is, he could go on a streak.
Ignore the last run from Prince Of Tibet. Returning to Hollywoodbets Durbanville, where he runs his best races, could be the catalyst to return to form. He runs in race 6 over 1250m. His last run at this course was his last win in October when he defeated the useful Delta Pride over 1500m. He runs more places and less wins than one would like but expect better from him. Piet and Elbert Steyn train him and JP van der Merwe takes the ride.
Race 8 over 1600m is not a hot event by any stretch. Who Is She seems to be finding some life so she could be the horse to side with in a shallow race. Luyolo Mxothwa is carded to ride for James Crawford. Her penultimate run was her best and it came over this course and distance when he finished third behind subsequent winner, Amayah. Her biggest dangers are stamina queries too.
