You don’t get many horses in maidens that have been placed in a Grade 1 and that alone makes Mystical Twilight a stand-out in today’s Welcome To Kenilworth Racecourse Maiden Juvenile.
MJ Byleveld’s mount was a 66-1 supposed no-hoper when less than six lengths third to Arabian Beat and Shaama in the SA Nursery but he had run well in a Turffontein maiden only a fortnight earlier. Furthermore Vaughan Marshall thought enough of him to start his Kenilworth campaign in this month’s Cape Of Good Hope Nursery had not a temperature ruled him out.
It will take something special to beat him (he opened 6-4 favourite with Betting World yesterday) even though this looks an exceptional maiden with several of the others also having strong form claims, notably 7-1 shot Nassa who was fourth to Fifty Cents in a big field on debut.
Aspara (14-1) also caught the eye first time but Richard Fourie dons the Sabine Plattner colours to partner 6-1 stable companion Nabisco instead. That is significant and not just because the R1.8 million Western Winter newcomer is out of the Gold Circle Oaks winner Sweetie Pie.
“Nabisco is a serious individual who could win first time out,” says Jonathan Snaith. “I think one of our two will win this.”
Giveusagrand’s debut fourth to Eighth Wonder was given a big boost by third-placed Forward Drive’s runaway win on Saturday but stable jockey Grant van NIekerk is on the 7-1 Trippi newcomer Heart Of Darkness.
“Grant had been away all week, Aldo Domeyer has been riding Giveusagrand (8-1)and he asked for the ride,” explains Candice Robinson. “I think Heart Of Darkness will need his first run.”
On the other hand the form of 10-1 chances Purple Mountains and Respectable Rebel was not boosted by Jeremy’s third to More Than Grand on Saturday.
Mamselle Al is equal top-rated with Glamour Gal in the Soccer 10 Maiden but Glen Kotzen’s filly comes out much better on a line through Gin For Genius. Also she would have finished closer last time but for suffering interference.
Noisette over-raced at Durbanville and opened evens favourite for the Rugby 10 Maiden but her lack of size is against her and the form of the well-drawn 28-10 chance Frenni makes slightly more appeal.
Gift Of Rain failed to quicken when ridden for speed last time and, according to her stable, hasn’t had a chance to have a gallop after suffering a setback. She opened at 8-10 but at the odds it might be worth taking a chance with Make The Magnet (3-1) in the All To Come Maiden.
Michael Clower won with three of his five selections on Saturday including the headlined Forward Drive, backed from 5-1 to 33-10.
Picture: Vaughan Marshall
