Brett Crawford could be the man to follow at Kenilworth today when he has the favourite in the first five races as well as in the last.
But don’t plunge in regardless because he doesn’t think he is going to win the first with 28-10 newcomer Tripolina. “She is a very nice filly but I think she will need the run,” he cautions.
Snaith Racing is also far from confident about 4-1 joint second favourite Harakiri. “Put her in the quartets but I think she is unlikely to win,” is the shrewd Jonathan’s advice.
World Sports Betting reckons the race will be dominated by first timers and also have Honours Degree (4-1) and Interlude (5-1) high up in the betting.
Brett Crawford (Liesl King)
Interestingly the computer prediction on the SAhorseracing and Tabgold websites shows Navarone going straight to the front and stretching away to win by five lengths. “I’ve seen that and I think it’s unlikely to happen,” says an unimpressed Paul Reeves. “But she is doing very well. She is a bit temperamental although we now fit ear muffs and that seems to help her.” At 8-1 she could be each way value.
Crawford’s Impressed stands out at 7-2 in race two after last time’s second to Arctic Blast was boosted by the subsequent win of third-placed Newlands, and there is a line of form suggesting Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount is better than Viking Voyage (4-1) and 11-2 chance Tweak The Wind.
Hero Quest – 16-10 favourite for race three – flew home in the final furlong when second on debut but the form is nothing to write home about and it was nearly three months ago. “He had a few setbacks afterwards but he has had a grass gallop,” says Crawford. “He will run a nice race but obviously I would have preferred it if he hadn’t been off for so long.”
In the circumstances 2-1 second favourite King Of The Corn gets marginal preference despite his 11 draw. However Louisiana can do it for Crawford and Corne Orffer 35 minutes later. She finished well to take second to Dark Chocolate over this trip on Winter Guineas day when she had stable companion Electro Diva (9-1 here) four lengths behind. The danger is Sandy Bay who was disputing favouritism yesterday.
The computer prediction for race five is a triple dead-heat between Midnite Zone (9-2), Kingvoldt (12-1) and 5-1 chance Brilliant Crimson. The handicappers would be delighted!
Interestingly Orffer has opted for 11-2 shot Zubbadubbadoo in preference to Midnite Zone even though he has been off since Met day. “He is not an easy horse to ride and Corne gets on very well with him,” Crawford explains, adding: “Midnite Zone is doing very well.”
He certainly looks the one to beat but the snag is that he has been raised 1.5kg for keeping on well to take second to stable companion Orion Quest. But he could be better over the extra 200m here.
Make It Raine is the Crawford 22-10 favourite in the last but this is a big field for an inexperienced horse so tread carefully.
Computer predictions:
- Navarone
- Impressed
- King Of The Corn
- Louisiana
- Kingvoldt, Brilliant Crimson and Midnite Zone (dead-heat)
- Dragon Flame
- Winter Trade and Zud Wes (dead-heat)
- Make It Raine and Hanabi (dead-heat)
By Michael Clower
