Snow Pilot was expected to shed his maiden tag last week but the race meeting had to be abandoned due to a waterlogged Hollywoodbets Kenilworth track. The colt out of multiple Grade 1 winner Snowdance has taken a few runs to figure things out, the time before he came from too far back to threaten the winner. He again rates the banker at Kenilworth on Wednesday 5 July.
Snow Pilot has drawn well this time and should have the run of the race but there is a significant danger that could test him. Oliver turned his best performance in his last and in fact looked like he won until the photo finish showed otherwise. But due to the inclement weather in the Cape he may lack the fitness racing after a 77-day break and as such youngster Snow Pilot should take advantage.
From banker to value bet. It is amazing that five-year-old Linebacker has not won since having one of the best seasons that a three-year-old could have. He ran a close second in the 2021 Durban July after winning the Grade 1 Cape Derby, Grade 2 KZN Guineas and Grade 1 Daily News 2000 in a row. But based on his last race things could be turning. He ran on well late in his 1400m comeback in May and is now back over the more suitable mile distance.
Even though having been dropped 6 points in merit ratings he is weighted to win the World Sports Betting Bet With The Best Winter Mile (Race 7). However, it is suggested going with the boxed quartet route with all of Sachdev, King Regent, Sugar Mountain and Speed Machine to cover.
It is a competitive race meeting but hopefully the weather affected gaps in training will have disappeared and form will work its magic. If that is the case all of Spring Palace (Race 3), Analytic (Race 6) and Metar (Race 8) look worth coupling in all to come win and place bets.
Clive Robinson
