Clive Robinson
Sunday’s eight-race card at Kenilworth features a pair of Listed events for two-year-olds of both sexes and Epsom Girl could enhance the chances of unbeaten Hithemhardsunshine who will be bidding to complete a hat-trick.
Prominent bookmakers Hollywood – now sponsors of the Durban July – own, through their Hollywood Syndicate, the two-year-old What A Winter gelding trained by Eric Sands. He was named by well-known former presenter Shaheen Shaw who was renowned for the phrase “hit them hard, sunshine” when on air.
Sands’ charge had been held in high regard prior to his winning debut over 1000m at Durbanville in early March and confirmed the promise of that first-up success by winning next time out over 1200m at Kenilworth. And the form of that win has been strengthened by a number of subsequent winners from that race.
As the only two-time winner in the seven-horse line-up, Hithemhardsunshine must concede weight to all but the manner of his victories and the strength of his form suggest he could well be up to it and land the hat-trick under regular rider Richard Fourie in Race 7, the Listed Somerset 1200.
So the performance of Piet Steyn-trained Epsom Girl in Race 6, the Listed Perfect Promise Sprint for two-year-old fillies, should be closely scrutinised. This daughter of July winner Pomodoro won a 900m maiden at just her second start and returned from a break to win the Kenilworth Filiies’ Nursery before bumping Hithemhardsunshine last time out.
She finished six lengths off the winner and other male rivals but is likely to fare a lot better competing against her own sex this time around.
She will, however, be severely tested by unbeaten rivals Who Do You Love and Ciao Bella.
Fourie and Justin Snaith team up in the opener and should get off to a winning start with well-bred Zippy Over. She has been costly to follow but the fitting of first-time blinkers could prove a masterstroke and her followers could reap the rewards.
Former Durban July winner Belgarion reappears in Race 3 for his second run since an injury-enforced layoff. He was slightly disappointing on his return but would’ve blown away the cobwebs and will return a fitter horse, so a better showing can be expected of the champion.
