Clive Robinson
In the absence of household big-name riders Grant van Niekerk, Richard Fourie, Aldo Domeyer and Keagan de Melo from Kenilworth on Saturday, it could pay for bettors to follow jockeys Devin Ashby and Corne Orffer, who are both likely to boot home doubles on the eight-race card at the Cape Town track.
Orffer rides Robertus for Candice Bass-Robinson in Race 1, a Maiden Plate over 1000m, who is a likely improver after a pleasing debut run. Including this son of Canford Cliffs with horse-to-beat Red Impact in Swingers and Exactas should get punters off to a winning start.
That jockey-trainer combination should strike with Silent War in Race 5, a MR 78 Handicap over 1600m, with the well-bred son of Gimmethegreenlight set to make a bold winning bid.
The four-year-old gelding caught the eye when a fast-finishing and close-up second in a stronger race over the same course and distance. He races off the same mark he did on that occasion and should, despite conceding weight to all back in a handicap, return to winning ways.
Justin Snaith-trained Van Hunks is likely to dispute favouritism after an encouraging run when returning from a rest and gelding, so the Swinger/Exacta route should again pave the way to profitable returns for bettors.
Academic Gold was a runaway winner of her last start over 1600m and the step-up in class and distance to 1800m will hold no fears for Andre Nel’s charge who should follow up under Orffer in Race 7, a MR 80 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m.
The fitting of blinkers to Paddy Kruyer’s Elusive Fort filly Air Of Royalty could prove a masterstroke in Race 4 and land Ashby the first half a potential winning double.
Paul Reeves-trained mare Arctic Ice was a fluent 1200m winner under Ashby just 13 days ago and the five-year-old daughter of What A Winter will, on the evidence of that display, be good value to follow up in Race 8 over the same course and distance.
