Dynasty’s Blossom has cost punters dear in her last three outings but the Joey Ramsden filly can start the New Year on a profitable note in the Supabets Maiden at Durbanville on Monday.

The R 4.5 million yearling purchase seems sure to start favourite for the fourth consecutive time and, although she has yet to win, her form is so superior to that of the opposition that the handicappers rate her 5.5kg (about six lengths over this trip) better than the next best.

Donovan Dillon

Donovan Dillon rides her for the first time and hopefully the decision to step her up in trip will pay the expected dividend.

Runners are thin on the ground with the first four races attracting only five apiece as some of the big players – notably Justin Snaith, Brett Crawford and Vaughan Marshall – have decided to keep their powder dry for the big two-day Queen’s Plate meeting next weekend.

Candice Bass-Robinson and Andre Nel, with ten runners each, have between them provided almost 40% of the card and have kept the show on the road. Kenilworth Racing has decided to pay R1 000 appearance money to the trainers of each runner that passes the post. “We are grateful to them for supporting the meeting and we want to show our appreciation,” said Phumelela boss Clyde Basel yesterday.

Ramsden, who runs five, may also win race two with Lily Theresa. This 1 250m handicap (the authorities appear to have acted on Anthony Delpech’s criticism that the turn starts too soon after the 1 200m start) is due off at the unusual time of 2.27pm. Indeed many of the races have been fixed for similarly unconventional times, presumably to fit into a tight Tellytrack schedule.

Lily Theresa is only third favourite in the TAB sheet betting forecast but the race is tightly handicapped and Grant van Niekerk’s mount has gone close in her last two.

Ramsden and Van Niekerk also have a good chance in the opener with November Storm even though he disappointed when starting joint favourite for the race won by Bernie here over two months ago. However, the vote goes to Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount Dynasty’s Boy who only lost out in a blanket finish by the minimum margin earlier this month.

Harold Crawford also runs five at the meeting and he can take the Tabonline Handicap (race three) with Ready Steady Go who won on debut here in October.

Queen Moira disappointed last time but her previous running here suggests that she can collect in the Betting World Handicap.

By Michael Clower