Warren Lenferna

Two performances at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth yesterday, Wednesday 26 November, truly caught the eye. The first came in the opening race, a Maiden Plate for three-year-old fillies over the quick, straight 1000m trip. Playing Trix, from the stable of Eric Sands and ridden by Craig Zackey, impressed from the moment the gates opened. If you look closely at Zackey, you might see smoke coming off his silks—he is currently in such scintillating form, and it is a pleasure watching him ride all over the country.

Playing Trix, a daughter of Vercingetorix out of the Visionaire mare Heaps Of Fun, is owned by patrons of the game who are as in form as the rider himself: the Werner family and Mr T. Gujadhur. She raced extremely green on debut, finishing with only four behind her. She clearly learnt plenty from that experience, as her second run was far more alert and streetwise; she stayed on cheekily to finish second to Morfeliha over the same track and trip.

There was market support for her, and as the gates crashed open yesterday, Playing Trix was off like a debit order on payday—never seeing another rival. She stretched away from the opposition and impressed. The favourite, Panjandrum, tried but tried in vain. The further they went, the stronger Playing Trix became, and she looks worth following.

Most were of the opinion that even if Mon Petite Cherie was only 70 percent ready, she would still be able to put this field to bed—and she did not let her followers down. It was a touch close at the line, but the win was perfectly executed by Richard Fourie, who knew exactly how much petrol was left in the tank. She moved up effortlessly in the hands and secured the first purse over a distance short of her best. The upcoming season looks very bright for her; she is talented, has top form, and should pay to follow. James Crawford, who trains her, is sure to have a perfectly planned route mapped out for the months ahead.

Race seven saw two form runners perform a little below their best: Showgirl and Gimmeanotherviking. Showgirl finished just over five lengths off the winner, with Gimmeanotherviking a shade over six. Both have shown they are clearly above average and must be watched next time—each is a nice horse who warrants respect. Call Me Secretwas the winner, showing she is on the up by winning straight out of the maidens. Lucinda Woodruff’s filly certainly looks to have a future.