There have been signs that Let It Be Said can scoop a big race. Perhaps not in the short term but his improvement, gallant style of racing and versatility are attributes that could make him an interesting horse to follow. He has plenty in his favour in race 8 over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday.
The breakthrough came in his penultimate run over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville when Richard Fourie threw caution to the wind and asked Let It Be Said to set a crazy pace but he stayed in front for the whole race. He fell across the line but lasted and claimed victory over Fatal Gem, a well-performed filly who had the edge according to the handicappers due to a sex allowance in that particular race. The following start was in the Grade 3 Variety Club Mile at this course when tactics changed but he finished the race smartly from last behind Garrix, a seriously exciting individual. That runner-up berth led absolutely no disgrace.
On that occasion he finished ahead of Gallic Dream who he reopposes. He is 1kg worse off and there was 1,25 lengths between them. The key is the drop in distance. His style of racing should make this trip far more favourable for Let It Be Said.
Richard Fourie is carded to take the ride for Justin Snaith. Let It Be Said could be an interesting horse towards the end of the year, seeing as he stays at home rather than Durban to progress organically. The temptation for bigger prizes this winter must have been tempting.
Naturally, Gallic Dream stacks up as a danger. He has found form and he too is noticed as an upwardly mobile horse. He is also at his best over 1400m so the drop in distance will not be a hindrance to him either. Craig Zackey aboard will also give followers some confidence. He will be a danger.
Silver Falcon has seen better days but his last run gave the seven-year-old a reason to be considered. He finished a well-beaten fourth behind Tenango in the Grade 3 Champagne Stakes. However, Tenango won with ease so the 3,25-length deficit is hardly disgraceful. He has the edge above Seeking The Stars from that run so he should be in the money.
A good bet on the card could be Gold Dust in race 5 over 1600m. He won a weak maiden with ease at his last run over 1400m but he has a lot more to come and he struck as a developing, lightly-raced three-year-old. His penultimate run came behind Dubbelosix who was a fluent winner last Monday. He has a light weight of 52kg to shoulder and there must be a huge effort in the tank under Muzi Yeni, the leading light weight jockey in South Africa.
Major Master could pose a threat. It is easy to be a fan because he is such a dashing horse. His last start came over 1200m and he was never going to lift in time. If this start does not come too soon, he is worth considering as a danger.
Three Tigers put up a pleasing debut in mid-April. He was off the mark slowly and he made his way to the inside of the course, covering extra ground in the process. He made headway late and he finished less than a length behind Gimmeathrill in fourth. Andrew Fortune takes the ride for Michelle Rix and Harold Crawford. He should take all the beating in race 1 over 1000m.
Father Christmas is an unconvincing pick in race 2 over 1400m. It is not a race that will take much winning and he is low mileage with improvement from his first start to his second. He ran behind Gold Dust in his last run, beaten by 5,25 lengths. It is his second run after a long break and he tries extra distance for the first time. He must have a fighting chance. Signor Dante and Ocean Sky are also winning chances.
There is a dearth of form in race 3 over 1400m. Future Prospect has one start to her name so she could be open to improvement. Her debut was fair when she came 3,9 lengths behind Gimmeathrill over 1000m last month. Corne Orffer is back aboard for Andre Nel. Her opposition is exposed so she will not need to make dramatic improvement to win.
Recent maiden winner Landoftherisingsun has a chance of going back-to-back in race 4 over 1600m. He was long overdue his maiden win after a string of near misses. He has underdelivered because Justin Snaith has always sung his praises. Confidence and time is perhaps all that he needed to find his stride and develop into a useful horse. He will not find it easy because Two A Penny is in form while Sail To The Moon is a rating dropper with a jockey strike as Muzi Yeni replaces an apprentice.
Golden Angel has also under-delivered but she has a huge chance to win race 6 over 1600m. She started her career with a bang and an appealing win at Hollywoodbets Durbanville but since then, a matter of different distances, bad draws and hard luck stories have counted against her. She does not have an ideal draw again but she does at least take on a moderate field. Her last start was a solid fourth behind the rapidly progressing Kleinzee.
There is nothing that jumps off the page in race 7. A chance is taken with the evergreen Fly To Rio. She ran a week ago and she finished fourth, albeit well beaten by Ischryo, 5,2 lengths behind. Craig Zackey sticks with her which is a good sign.
Jet Force has the makings of a smart horse. In two starts he has a debut win but a very pleasing third post-victory when staying on very strongly behind Paratrooper at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth over 1200m. He should have enough progress to make a strong case for him in race 9 over the same course and distance.
