Know The Ropes can make it four off the reel and give weight all round in the Supabets Handicap at Kenilworth tomorrow.
The Andre Nel four-year-old has shrugged aside problems to go from strength to strength this season and last time she led over a furlong out to win by two and a quarter lengths quite comfortably. Indeed she won in the manner of a horse that will follow up next time even though the handicapper has raised her up six points.
Andre Nel
“I thought that was a bit harsh,” says Andre Nel. “She is unsound but she ploughs through that and I think she can win again.”
She has been installed 2-1 favourite with World Sports Betting but she has some stiff opposition to contend with, notably 4-1 chance Sequined who was only beaten three and a half lengths when seventh in a good progress plate at Durbanville last time. Those who finished immediately in front of her included Magical Wonderland, Rose In Bloom, Too Phat To Fly and Oh Susanna who occupied four of the first five places in last Saturday’s Western Cape Fillies Championship.
Then there is Still I Rise (5-2) who was good enough to win first time even though she swished her tail each time her rider touched her with his whip. She subsequently refused to load in the Durbanville handicap won by Lindleys Lane (5-1) who is weighted to confirm the placings with Rings And Things (13-2) and Double Black (7-2).
Wedgwood was beaten almost four lengths by Know The Ropes last time but is 4.5kg better so the Woodruff mare could go quite close despite her 16-1 price.
Flower Of Carmel was only just over a length behind the more experienced Saltire on debut so you would expect Aldo Domeyer’s mount to reverse the placings in race one but Brett Crawford’s horses are in great form so Saltire is taken to win.
Whatever their fortunes in the opener Domeyer and Candice Bass-Robinson should win the next with What A Winner even though the three newcomers are also from top stables and therefore command respect.
Finally Emerald Gal could be worth a few rand each way in the last, particularly if she starts anywhere near her present 8-1. She flopped at Durbanville last time and was found to be coughing but she made the frame six times on the trot before that.
“A lot of horses cough at this time of year when there is a high pollen count,” says Dan Katz. “Also she didn’t like Durbanville but this is the right race for her and I think you will see the form she showed previously.”
By Michael Clower
