Today’s Cape Town meeting has been switched to Kenilworth from Durbanville where the waterlogging problems that resulted in last week’s abandonment have been exacerbated by all the recent rain.
Just over 100mm has fallen at Kenilworth although the official going is no worse than soft (penetrometer 30 in the straight and 29 on the round course). However yesterday’s drying, followed by more this morning, could make the ground holding and put stamina at a premium.
Lyle Hewitson
Lyle Hewitson, now virtually certain to join the select few who have become champion jockey while still an apprentice, makes a rare out-of-season visit. “Adam Marcus rang me, said he had three nice rides and there is no racing in Durban today,” he explains. It is this type of ‘have saddle, will travel’ approach to life that has played a big part in his path to the top.
The three Marcus rides are in three of the last four races and Marcus sees them more as place chances than banker bets. “We haven’t been able to do much of a preparation with Gyre (8-1 and off for nearly five months) but he did put up a good gallop at Kenilworth two weeks ago and he has done sufficient to run a nice race. The soft ground is not too much of a worry with him and he is a horse with a big heart.
“Red Rascal (9-2) has been doing well since his last run but has a wide draw to overcome so he will be tucked in and running on at the finish. Elusive Touch (9-2) ran a good race in the soft last time. She takes very little work and is in great form. Her winning chance is slim -she is drawn 12 out of 13 – but with luck in running she can run into the money.”
Hewitson’s other rides include longshots Princess Kika and Burano for Geoff Woodruff and 4-1 second favourite Chatuchak for Andre Nel in race seven, the Interbet.co.za Handicap. This one won over a furlong less in May but has yet to be tested in the soft.
He also has a chance on Sailor Sam (5-1) in the first but preference is for Greg Ennion’s other runner Rock Of Asia (2.4-1) who made much of the running when winning over the trip last time. Fellow joint favourite Tarsus was not disgraced when pitched in against older horses in a handicap a month ago.
Star Angel impressed when scoring here on her last start nearly two months ago – she led and was soon three or four lengths clear – and the 7-2 chance can defy a 3kg penalty in the TAB Telebet Juvenile Fillies. Vodka Lime (also 7-2) looks a big danger but 33-10 favourite Be Yourself is returning after a six-month absence.
Joey Ramsden has scratched Sparkeling Fire from race three, citing “change of venue.” She had a winning chance and now the vote goes to Valderrama. Grant van Niekerk, who rides her, can follow up on Black Indy in the next. His good draw may enable him to beat More Magic.
By Michael Clower
