Clive Robinson
Kenilworth plays host to a rare Sunday meeting in the Western Cape, with a tricky eight-race card on 28 August bringing down the curtain on the weekend’s local action that also includes a Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting on Saturday in KwaZulu-Natal’s capital Pietermaritzburg.
Muzi Yeni is a noteworthy addition to the riding ranks in Cape Town on Sunday and his trip should be made worthwhile as early as Race 1 by Eric Sands-trained Gypsy Express who looks likely to break her duck and, belatedly, shed her maiden tag in the opener over 1000m.
This daughter of What A Winter has finished in the money in each of her five starts, which include two third-place finishes and a second from three starts over this trip. Her added experience and effectiveness over the distance should stand her in good stead and the booking of top jockey Yeni will only aid her cause.
Cityscape was on debut when finishing three lengths adrift of Gypsy Express but should improve with the benefit of that run and, as such, could get closer to that rival. With that in mind, a Swinger bet could provide an alternative with greater value, as Yeni’s ride is likely to start favourite at cramped odds.
It could also pay to take the Swinger – or even the Exacta – route in Race 2, where Barney Mcgrew and All ABout Al renew rivalry over 1000m.
The former edged a recent meeting over 1100m under a light weight and is 1kg worse off this time around for that 0.75-length success. However, Andries Steyn’s charge is most effective over 1000m whereas his familiar foe is unexposed over the distance and will be having his first go at the trip.
Nevertheless, there should be little separating the pair again and they’re expected to fight out the finish, so boxing them in Swingers and/or Exactas should yield a profit.
Twice Over colts Run Rudolph Run and I’m A Man are two runners of interest in Race 4, a Special Weights Maiden over 1800m. Both should be competitive in a shallow race and will prove popular among exotic-bet players. Taking Boxed Exactas instead of the safer Swinger only serves to maximise potential winnings!
Justin Snaith sends out a strong quartet of runners in Race 5 with newly turned four-year-olds Thefutureisbright and Top Quality heading his four-pronged attack.
They closed out their three-year-old campaigns with placed efforts in the Grade 3 Winter Derby nine weeks ago and, while unlikely to be fully tuned ahead of their returns, are expected to be competitive on their seasonal reappearances.
The Swinger bet is again an attractive betting proposition, as is the Boxed Exacta in which bettors must include veteran Pack Leader on current form. However, double-floating the pair in Quartet bets with stablemates Somerset Maugham, Sabina’s Prodigy and Baratheon could prove the shrewd play in a tricky Middle Stakes that has attracted a decent 10-horse line-up.
Snaith-trained Steinbeck and Navy Strength are two of three runners from the yard in Race 6 and could well dominate the finish to this 1600m handicap. Again, the profitable way to play could prove to be Swinger and Exacta bets but including Aeneas in Boxed Trifectas with that pair ought to yield greater dividends.
