Keagan de Melo, crowned champion jockey in KwaZulu-Natal at the Gold Circle Racing Awards gala dinner on Wednesday night, was not there in person to collect his trophy.
Instead he was basking in the afterglow of having ridden five winners at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in the first Cape Town meeting with the new sponsor’s branding.
Those five took him to the top of the current log and although the season is but a puppy, De Melo’s services are in demand in the three major racing centres and if his current form continues he will not be for the catching.
He has seven rides at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday and while none appear to stick out as solid betting propositions his presence in the saddle will certainly count in their favour.
One of his better opportunities could come in the seventh where he partners Bowie for Gavin van Zyl. It is a tough handicap but Bowie was running on strongly in a competitive sprint won by Coin Spinner at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. In his previous run on the poly, Van Zyl removed the blinkers as he was trying a ‘mile’. They are back on here over a shorter trip and he can score his fifth success. It will not be smooth sailing as Dennis Drier sends out Proud Master who has been in good form over shorter but is equally at home over this trip. The gelding is lightly raced and has scope for further improvement. African Skyline has only once been out of the money in ten starts for Garth Puller and has useful form over course and distance. With a light weight and a plum draw, he too can go close. Top weight Tread Swiftly could be the pick of the two Muscutt runners although jockey bookings suggest otherwise with Conquer The Enemy in receipt of 5kg from his stable companion with regular Muscutt pilot Tristan Gooden deserting Tread Swiftly.
The card opener could provide the best bet on the card in the form of Victory Belle. Glen Kotzen’s filly is lightly raced but has found market support in all three outings. She meets a weak field here and looks the part. Stable companion Declare War is also lightly raced but has been trying a little further although she goes well on the poly. Cape Princess is battling but has not been too far back at recent outings and finished a fair second last time out.
Some promising runners line up in the second with both Sun Blushed and Gladatorian with lofty ratings of 106 and 105 respectively.
Sun Blushed got a hefty shunt up the handicap after a close-up second in feature company last time out. He makes his poly debut for Michael Roberts but a repeat could see him difficult to beat given that Gladatorian was rested after contesting features last season after showing a lot of promise. Imposing ran well below expectations in his poly debut and is way better than that. This shorter trip could suit and a stronger rider could make the difference. De Melo will stay loyal to Dean Kannemeyer who has been largely responsible for putting him on the feature race map and Kannemeyer-trained Johndunbar could find himself a little out of his league. He was rested after his maiden win but has a handy weight and will need to prove better than his rating
It could prove prudent to watch the market in the third with a number of runners going a trip for the first time. Johnny’s Hope is the obvious choice as Kom Naidoo’s charge was running on smartly from a tough draw last time out. He shows promise and the switch to poly is the only thing that can find him out given current form. The older Raven’s Sword has been knocking on the door since being fitted with cheek pieces and has the best of the draw. He also stays the trip. Double Silver improved nicely second time of asking over a sprint and his pedigree suggests that this mile will be more to his liking. Similarly, L’Ultimo has been sprinting but ran a fair race behind easy winner Imposing and he too should enjoy the trip
In the fourth, won well first up on the poly beating the useful looking Clean Slate. The soft ground did not seem to suit last run on the turf and back on poly he can follow up on his last win. Track Commander was close-up on the turf last run and prior to that was 1.5 lengths back to Perdo on the poly. They meet on the same terms, courtesy of Pedro’s 1.5kg apprentice claim. Gentleman’s Way is always game, loves the poly and is due another win.
The fifth is a difficult fillies and mares handicap. Acacia’s Blossom makes her poly debut and was not far back when taking on much stronger first up out of the maidens. She should at least be competitive. Tienie Prinsloo saddles Iron Chef who is holding form and is over her optimum course and distance. The blinkers come off but De Melo stays aboard which may be an indication of her chances. Cozy Dot Com has the worst of the draw but also bottom weight. She was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out and must have a decent winning chance.
A wide-open handicap faces punters in the sixth but New Orleans goes well on the poly for Carl Hewitson she and is distance suited. With a handy weight she should be thereabouts. Stable companion Capriana seems best over the shorter sprints but has a light weight and an in-form jockey aboard. Miss Magician also seems more at home over five furlongs but has consistent poly form.
Diamond Girl can finish off the day with a sparkle as she has been taking on slightly stronger at recent outings and showed some improvement in first time blinkers. The switch to the poly could be the master stroke. Green Dream has a tricky draw but is in very good form and has a strong chance. Corner Crusade has given Gary Rich sleepless nights as she is not always the easiest at the gate but has come good on the poly. She tries an extra furlong.
