There is a lot of history regarding the Listed Pocket Power Stakes over 1950m. Not only did the race’s name holder succeed, but Hollywoodbets Durban July contenders Elusive Silva, African Night Sky, and Marinaresco also took this obscure route. This year, Mucho Dinero and Magic Verse hold entries for the big race, but it could pay to follow Otto Luyken, who has a good advantage at the weights at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
At 75/1 odds in the Grade 3 Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m, Otto Luyken pushed hot favourite, Garrix, to the line at the start of the month. There was only a head between them and now they meet on identical terms while Garrix had 1,5kg in his favour last time. Otto Luyken will also be better equipped over this extra 150m plus the likely rain in the days leading up to Sunday’s meeting will give him further impetus. He was at his best in soft going last year when he gouged out narrow wins.
Louie Mxothwa is carded to take the ride for Brett and James Crawford. The combination has been firing winners and placegetters consistently around the country over the last few months.
Mucho Dinero is an accomplished long-distance stalwart having won the Grade 3, 2800m New Turf Carriers Western Cape Reserve Stayers in January. He also ran in the Legal Eagle Stakes and ended up 0,2 lengths behind Garrix, in turn a head behind Otto Luyken. This race is do-or-die if he is going to make the final field for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. There is a hint of form between Otto Luyken and Mucho Dinero from January when Mucho Dinero conquered by 3,45 lengths over 2800m. But the extended trip would have played into Mucho Dinero’s favour. Again, a soft track will help his cause so do not ignore his chances.
Garrix is a top horse. He was visually unimpressive when winning the Legal Eagle Stakes, fighting off the two mentioned challengers in a stirring battle but he was forced to work very hard. The extra distance and the extra weight are burdens added to this hugely talented three-year-old. Gavin Lerena is back to take the ride, which must spark some confidence. If he wins, he could be a local sensation. This will test his mettle.
Time For Love was a fluent winner of the Listed Ladies Mile earlier this month. She is expected to go back-to-back in the Listed Stormsvlei Stakes over 1800m. Trainers Michelle Rix and Harold Crawford prepared her perfectly from a rest to win the Ladies Mile with a hard gallop at the course about two weeks prior. She was a professional in the way she emerged victorious over the consistent Callmegetrix. Time For Love has always been more at home over a trip further than 1600m so this event must be well within her wheelhouse. Lerena sticks with her.
Sardinia Bay should go close to winning race 1 over 1200m. His debut was pleasing when he stuck around to finish fourth behind Churchilian over 1000m. Any natural improvement should see him be the horse to beat. There is a litany of well-bred first-timers who are worth a market check. Grant van Niekerk is carded to take the ride for Greg Ennion.
Inside Voice is a racy filly who looks due to exit the maidens in race 2 over 1000m. There was steady market support for her last time from 6/1 down to 33/10 and she was no threat to Match That who looks set to win a few races. Inside Voice has run twice for two third-placed finishes and she has the golden inside draw of No 2 under Sean Veale while her biggest danger on form has to contend with No 15, on the other side of the track. Again, some debutantes make genetic appeal to watch the betting.
Tunguska could be the horse to beat in race 3 over 1600m. Andrew Fortune takes the ride for the red-hot Ricky Maingard yard. Since returning from a two-month break in March, he has run much improved races with form franked. Two starts back he finished a 0,8-length third behind Dubbelosix who beat older, grizzled company subsequently. Last time he finished second behind Show Off over 1700m. Those two runs enhance confidence and he is expected to complete the job.
Please Be True is a very interesting runner in race 4 over 1400m. He is held by Air Raid from their meeting at the start of the month over 1200m. Air Raid finished a length ahead of Please Be True plus he is 0,5 kg better off. But Air Raid is yet to be as impressive over further than a sprint while Please Be True comes into his own over this middle distance range. Please Be True was making impressive late progress last time. Richard Fourie takes the ride for Justin Snaith.
Happy Verse won his debut like a true professional. He will be tested in race 5 over 1400m against older horses, some of whom have won multiple races despite their limitations. He beat Bugle Boy by 0,4 lengths over 1200m but he dodged traffic and won without any fuss in the end. If he can remain undefeated from here, there could be some serious fun ahead for Happy Verse. Fortune is aboard for Snaith.
Beer With The Boys has become consistent over the last six months. Winning comes at a premium but his good efforts will end in reward sooner rather than later. He runs in race 6 over 1800m.
The Us Of A has overcome issues and now that he is racing in a routine, he could complete a double in race 9 over 1000m despite a slight disadvantage at the weights. He beat Tough Terrain by 2,75 lengths with his head in his chest but he now has a 2,5kg deficit. The ease of his win, turn of foot and evidently over his ailments all combine to suggest he is a horse on the up. Rihard Fourie is aboard for Patrick Kruyer.
War Chariot ran a brave race when last seen and he could visit the winners’ box in race 10 over 1400m. From the front, he nearly led every yard until he was caught in the dying strides by Green Garnet, who runs earlier in the day against far stronger than who War Chariot meets. If allowed a soft lead, there is every chance he will stretch them again and possibly keep rolling.
