Go west for a winner

Captain West

Captain West has always promised but not often delivered. Always held in high regard by his former trainer, Brett Crawford, he was tested at high-level races but failed to fire to his capabilities against weaker. He looks well placed to get his confidence back when he runs in race 6 over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Tuesday.

Now under the care of Brett’s son, James, the scenery has not changed but the expectation has possibly lowered because of some good, yet disappointing efforts. He has kept company with some of the best around. Tenango, now a Grade 2 winner and looks set to climb the next rung up the ladder. One Stripe appears in his form as does Great Plains who competed at Grade 1 Weight For Age level 10 days ago. He beat On My Honour in October by 4,25 lengths. He is likely to run in the Hollywoodbets Durban July on 5 July.

His recent form reads nicely. His two runs to Tenango indirectly put him alongside horses who competed with credit in the Grade 2 Golden Horse Sprint. Beaten 5,35 lengths and 3,35 lengths by one of the country’s most exciting sprinters is anything but a disgrace. One of those starts was in the Grade 3 Champagne Stakes. His last run was a pleasing 1,45-length fourth behind Air Raid over 1400m at this course.

Perhaps his downfall is that he does not have a best distance. He is fair in sprints and middle-distance races. Someday, it will click. Hopefully, this will be his day. This is only the second time in his career he has ventured over 1600m. The only other occasion was in the Grade 2 Cape Punters Cup in November when he was mooshed by One Stripe by eight lengths. One Stripe’s subsequent record reads impressively with two Grade 1 wins to his name. Luyolo Mxothwa is carded to take the ride.

The Grey King has proven ability but he is his own worst enemy. He has his quirks and he has conspired to get himself beaten on his own steam. Andrew Fortune is capable of getting hot horses to relax and quicken with his hands and timing, which are huge assets. If he can get the best out of this enigmatic horse, there is no reason to write him off. His in-and-out form is never something to take at face value.

Future Turn could pop up on the back of a slight rating drop of two points to 85. Whether that is enough to send him into the winners’ box remains to be seen but he gets the services of Richard Fourie and his best form is worth keeping in mind, even if he has not been at his best for a few months.

Whatastar takes a huge drop in class when she runs in race 1 over 1000m. She has recently run with Military Command in the CRS Cape Slipper when she was outclassed in the sales’ incentive race and then she failed to fire in what has turned into a hot piece of form behind Match That over this course and distance two months ago. A freshen up for this two-year-old could do her a world of good. If she brings her early runs, she could be a major winning chance against a field with very little form to get excited about. All first-timers are considered because they do not need to be great to feature.

The talk about Chance Encounter on debut was loud and he made good late gains to finish third behind In A Timely Manner, 1,5 lengths behind. Any improvement should take him a few levels closer. He is a full-brother to Chansonette who was also trained by Andre Nel. He is the horse to beat in race 2 over 1200m. There is a word out about debutant, Saudi Cat but he will need to be very good to win.

Boundless Love seems to be in the right place in race 3 over 1400m. From draw No 1 and having his third run after a break, his recent runs should tee him up to exit the maiden ranks. This is not a field packed with any future Grade 1 hopes. His last start was a fair 2,8-length fifth behind Rhydian. JP van der Merwe is carded to take the ride for Justin Snaith.

It is well documented how well Boogiefied goes on a soft track and he rates as the horse to beat in race 4 over 1400m. At this time of the year, the going is expected to be soft with a forecast of persistent rain through the meeting. He led from start to finish in his last run when he never looked in doubt keeping all late-comers at bay. There should be little to choose between him and Industrialstrength because there was 0,75 lengths between them in March. Industrialstrength is 3,5kg better off so he should turn the form around but a sticky track will always sway towards Boogiefied.

Midway has the best form in race 5 over 1600m and he should be able to turn over a field of this calibre. The fact that he has only claimed one win through his career is a cause for concern but this is the best chance he has had to salute since winning his maiden many moons ago. Sadly, among his dangers is himself.

Summer Night City is an interesting entry in race 7 over 2200m. Trainer Eric Sands deserves credit for sticking with apprentice Sifisokuhle Bungane after he plotted an interesting path around in her most recent start. Considering the trip she endured, she stuck around to finish less than two lengths behind English Mistress over 1800m. If she sees this distance effectively, she should have a good chance of going close at what could be an appealing price.

Race 8 over 1000m is a lowly D Stakes with some familiar rivals facing off. Champagne Mac is given the narrow top choice under Champion Apprentice, seeking Brevan Plaatjies. He is consistent despite finding winning at a premium. He is not a choice to feel confident about but he could be in the right place to strike.

The Us Of A could return to winning ways in race 9 over 1000m. His turn of foot was blunted in his last run when he ran fourth going off at very short odds. When he is in the mood he can turn on a good burst and deliver in style. If the best version arrives, he should turn the form around with Flying Finley and Bluff On Bluff. Richard Fourie is carded to take the ride.