Make The Magnet, second or third in the last four of her seven starts, should finally get her head in front in the Gold Circle Maiden at Durbanville tomorrow.
She is well drawn, has experience of the course and would appear to have been handed it on a plate by the enforced scratching of Preoccupation who won on Saturday. She also wears blinkers for the first time.
“She switches off too well,” says Eric Sands, explaining why he is putting them on. “Last time we tried racing her closer but she didn’t produce the kick that she normally does.”
She has most to fear from Glen Kotzen’s pair Nakshatra and Jamaica Me Crazy. Greg Cheyne is on the latter and it is significant that he rides Skysign rather than stable companion Bruno (who is the TAB sheet forecast favourite) in the Gold Circle Novice Plate. “It was my choice although there is not much in it,” he says.
His mount would have finished closer last time had she got off on terms and is the marginal choice. Others to note in this mile race are Kemal Kavur – the horse MJ Byleveld was riding when he was kicked by Ready To Attack returning to unsaddle after the Langerman – and Do Be Snappy even though he is badly drawn. “He comes from behind so I wouldn’t worry too much about that,” says Ronnie Sheehan.
Sheehan may win the first with Kwando even though Morethanthat seems sure to start favourite after her good debut at Kenilworth last month. Her problem is the draw, nine out of 11. “She is a nice filly but it’s going to be very hard for her from there,” reasons Justin Snaith.
Kwando’s form is not as good – on a line through Brilliant Idea she has about two and a half lengths to find – but the draw is such a big factor on this course, particularly over 1 400m and shorter.
Grant van Niekerk, who rides her, also has a good chance on Imperial Guard in the Pick 6 Maiden two races later but this four-year-old is proving expensive. He has started favourite on four of his last six starts and is again sure to be one of the market leaders.
It could pay to side with Nutbush instead. The Dean Kannemeyer-trained colt is well drawn and went close here two races back.
BLOB Michael Clower’s three selections last Saturday all won, including Jets-A-Blazing at 9-2. Clower has won with 12 of his 33 selections at the last eight Cape Town meetings, giving a profit of R161 to a R10 level stake.
By Michael Clower
Picture: Grant Behr (Nkosi Hlophe)
