Clive Robinson
The eight-race card at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday 11 December, which features the 1200m Grade 2 Cape Merchants, is likely to be dominated by the powerful stable of Justin Snaith, and bettors who follow his runners at the meeting will probably be smiling all the way to the bank.
We’re Jamming, three from three over Kenilworth’s 1200m, is one of two Snaith-trained runners in the Cape Merchants and is good value to defend that 100% course-and-distance record in Race 7, which jumps at 16:07 local time.
This son of ill-fated globetrotter Duke Of Marmalade was the leading Western Cape two-year-old last season and has shown that he retains all of his ability at three. He was gelded ahead of his sophomore year and returned from a well-deserved break to take his place in the Grade 3 Cape Classic over 1400m. Snaith’s charge, however, didn’t enjoy being stretched out over that trip for the first time and bounced right back to his best form reverting to 1200m last time out in the Listed Sophomore Sprint, which he won comfortably by 0.75-lengths despite conceding weight to all his rivals under 60kg.
We’re Jamming earned a five-point penalty for that impressive last-start success but makes his peak outing in the Cape Merchants under just 52kg with Grant van Niekerk now booked to ride.
In a full field of 20 runners (excluding the reserve Sun Dazed), there are dangers aplenty, though, including South Easter Sprint winner Resonate and Bantry Bay Stakes scorer Surjay, as well as Gimme A Prince and returning Zapatillas.
At the weights, and given his liking for the stiff Kenilworth 1200m, it is probably worth siding with We’re Jamming and including the aforementioned foursome in Swinger, Trifecta and Quartet permutations.
Earlier on the card, Tout A Fait could be rewarded for his consistency in Race 3 over 1400m, with Van Niekerk reunited aboard the Master Of My Fate gelding who has two wins, two seconds, a third and a fourth in six appearances under this in-form rider.
Progressive three-year-olds Prevalence and Champion Warrior, who finished behind Tout A Fait last time out, are likely to attract strong market support and ought to pose a threat, although Candice Bass-Robinson’s runners Hammie’s Hero and Narina Trogon are also capable of doing that and must be included in wider exotics.
Snaith holds a strong hand in Race 8 over 1200m with last-start winner Pacific Green preferred ahead of stable companion Distinction. The former swept past her rivals to win a similar contest over 1100m going away and on that evidence, she should follow up with the extra 100m expected to be to her liking.
