Another exciting racemeeting from Hollywoodbets Kenilworth sees some top horses brightening up a Monday for a change.
One of the best races on the day is undoubtedly the last (Race 8) where Noble City, a half-brother to Grade 1 Golden Horse winner Battle Force, will be out to show his maiden win on debut when hardly breaking a sweat was no fluke.
He has big shoes to fill but he could not have won more easily and there has since been two subsequent easy winners from that form line. Kebonalesedi and Rosh Kedesh (also a leading contender earlier in the card) were beaten 3,00 and 4,75-lengths into second and third respectively. Both have since exited the maidens without a fuss and look certain to raise their game further.
It augurs well for Noble City, who runs in a strong MR80 Handicap over the same 1200m course.
He will be tested though, and there is one in particular that may be on the same path as him. Aussie import Veldskoen, while racing late as a four-year-old, won his second start easily and he has the benefit of having had a hard handicap race since. He raced in a 15-strong field where he drew badly in gate 11 and yet finished fourth, only 0,70-lengths back at the wire.
Race 8 promises to be a cracker and is not to be missed.
But there will be lots of action earlier in the day as well.
An interesting runner is golfing legend Gary Player’s well-bred daughter of Vercingetorix in the first. The filly is aptly named Double Grand Slam and word from trainer Justin Snaith (who is incidentally running away with the trainer’s championship at present) is ‘Nice type, should be in the money and one to follow’.
Another of Vercingetorix’s progeny that should run a forward race is Madison Blues, who takes his place in Race 4, a Maiden Plate over 1800m.
He was expected to just about win his last start but had the bit pulled and raced awkwardly. He still ran a cracker finishing third, beaten only 2,50-lengths by Selukwe, who had the run of the race.
All of Enemy Territory (Race 2), Innamorare (Race 5) and Time Flies (Race 6) rate big chances in their respective heats. Innamorare is down in class from the Grade 2 Politician Stakes and could show the benefit of running with top-tier horses.
Clive Robinson
