Huge fields are the order of the day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday with a 10-race card on offer. Expect dividends to be high, so punters could be in for some fun if they crack it correctly. Without singing from the rooftops about anything, Mauritius Kestrel could pay to follow in race 6 over 1500m.
A seriously talented two-year-old but perhaps nailed for being close-up behind the best of his generation, a gradual rating drop has brought Mauritius Kestrel back to life without a winning reward. He was rested between November and February when he missed the meat of the Cape Summer Festival Of Racing but with the long game in mind, it might be a blessing to get his confidence back, avoiding the current big names. His rating has gone from 105 to 99 in quick time.
He would have needed his two runs back, but the progress has been encouraging. He finished fifth behind Gallic Dream on return. That form has been boosted a few times with Gallic Dream himself winning again. Mauritius Kestrel followed up with a pleasing 3,3-length third behind Captain West over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
World Of Pleasure has a margin of nearly three lengths ahead of Mauritius Kestrel, but the peak run angle of Mauritius Kestrel is enough to suggest that things could and should get far closer. Aldo Domeyer rides for Adam Marcus.
That is not to suggest that World Of Pleasure cannot feature. He went down a nostril at his last run to Captain West to the extent that jockey Sean Veale thought he had won the race. He is an overachiever who throws everything at his rivals. The fact that one can expect a huge effort gives some confidence that he will give a customary honest run.
Major Master is coming into his own but perhaps slightly short of confidence. He must have good days ahead of him and it would be no shock if he popped up and went on a streak. For now, he might be one run away from really coming to hand.
Another rating dropper from the Marcus yard with a chance on the card is Hampstead Heath in race 7 over 1600m. She worked her way up the ranks with some pleasing runs to much better opposition than what she races with. Her form has dived recently but this is the weakest field she has run with for a while. Plus, she is back against her sex. Domeyer is carded to be aboard too.
To point out a runner as the best bet on this card is not the easiest task but Electric Feels is in the form of her life and she should win again when she contests race 10 over 1000m. Jockey Mphumi Mjoka has worked this filly out and she has been perfectly placed by trainers Michelle Rix and Harold Crawford to keep her running at this level. She had a run-in that lasted a few strides but she has sustained that run for longer now. If she does not win, she should at least be very close.
The rest of the card needs some close scrutiny. She’s My World has some feature race form to recommend and she returns from a short break in race 1 over 1000m. Muzi Yeni makes a rare appearance in Cape Town and he is carded to take the ride for Justin Snaith. Her last run came in late January when she finished fourth behind Wild Wild Green. The first-timers need a look because most of them have appealing genetics.
Day In Day Out made a pleasing debut and the fact that his main rival, Rhydian, comes off a long break, could hand the advantage to the two-year-old out for his second career start. He is tipped to win race 2 over 1200m. He finished fourth behind Military Command over 1200m in February and Military Command appears to be one of the best youngsters in the country.
Sun Dazed is not the most trustworthy around but his last run must stack him up as the horse to beat in race 3 over 1200m with Domeyer aboard for Candice Bass-Robinson. He was unlucky not to have won when he finished second 0,4 lengths behind Mont Loisir. He has not won since October 2023 which is a cause for concern but the level of opposition has also dropped.
Miraculous could be worth a bet in race 4 over 1200m. Brett and James Crawford have this filly in good heart and she has had no luck at her last run despite nearly winning. At her last run she raced wide and with no cover. It was tough to watch but she was tough all the way to go down narrowly behind My Only Weakness at this course over 1400m. She runs in a straight line this time so she will not experience the same trip. Louis Mxothwa is carded to take the ride.
It could be worth siding with Tres Chic in race 5 over 1400m. It is such a tricky race and the case for most of the rivals exists but Tres Chic has been giving glimpses of winning a race and she would not be taking the honours out of turn.
Beer With The Boys is the typical late developer but he has found his stride and running consistently suggesting that a win might be coming again. His last start he gave some great sight to finish less than a length behind My Bestie who took the race by the scruff of the neck and made his effort last. Beer With The Boys was finding a finish late but he ran out of racecourse. He is tipped on top in race 8 over 1600m.
Race 9 over 1600m looks like an exciting race because of the litany of chances involved and the rapidly improving youngsters and some of the field who has learned how to race. King’s Quest has a good level of ability but he has a question to answer over this distance. If he is mature enough for the trip, he looks like the right one under Domeyer.
