Last Winter, 15-4 clear favourite for the Sun Met with Betting World but only 9-2 joint favourite with Legal Eagle and Marinaresco in the books of World Sports Betting, will do his final piece of serious work at Kenilworth tomorrow week.
Dean Kannemeyer said yesterday: “I will put him over 800m. At home he doesn’t exert himself – he keeps himself fit and does just enough. But he is doing exceptionally well and he is in good shape. We are on track for the race.”
Confidence is also growing in the Marinaresco camp and both Aldo Domeyer and part-owner Marsh Shirtliff stressed yesterday that he was unlucky not to finish closer than fifth (albeit beaten less than a length) in last Saturday’s L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.
Last Winter
Candice Bass-Robinson spelt it out, explaining: “Silicone Valley carried him out quite a bit and close home the winner did the same. Had he been able to keep going and keep his momentum he would have finished even closer. But he has taken his run very well and he looked amazing this morning.”
The in-form Milnerton trainer – she won the first three at Durbanville yesterday – also had encouraging news of Horizon who was reported lame by the racecourse vet after finishing fourth to Eyes Wide Open in the Glorious Goodwood Peninsula Handicap.
Mrs Robinson said: “Horizon is fine. In fact he wasn’t lame. He was the same after the race as he was before it.”
Fillies Guineas winner Snowdance, her performance boosted by the Cartier Paddock win of runner-up Oh Susanna, looks like starting one of the shortest-priced favourites in the history of the Klawervlei Majorca.
WSB opened her at 1-2 and even at that price she was backed. She is now 4-10! Just Sensual and Nother Russia are next on 7-1 with 16-1 and upwards the rest.
Cape Guineas winner Tap O’Noth, predictably, is favourite to follow up in the Investec Cape Derby and 7-2 is the best available. White River is 6-1 and Peninsula Handicap winner Eyes Wide Open on 7-1 even though he is expected to run in the Met instead.
This Saturday’s Diadem will have a big bearing on the Cape Flying Championship with many engaged in both races including Trip To Heaven who is 33-10 favourite for the 27 January Grade 1.
Former West Indian cricket star, and now top commentator, Michael Holding was at Durbanville yesterday to see Domeyer batting home winner after winner as well as some particularly promising performances from Indian Song and Marion Belle.
By Michael Clower
