Mon Petit Cherie makes her seasonal return in Race 5 over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday, and the feature-winning filly looks a class above her rivals. The James Crawford-trained runner has already captured two major titles — last season’s Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship and the Grade 2 KZN Fillies Guineas — before closing her winter campaign with a strong second to Double Grand Slam in the Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes. Although her fitness must be taken on trust, she meets a field lacking proven graded ability, with Scarlet Macaw the only genuine threat. Even then, Mon Petit Cherie holds the advantage, having beaten her convincingly in both previous meetings. Richard Fourie, who partnered her to those feature victories, reunites with her and strengthens the confidence behind her seasonal return.
Scarlet Macaw is respected for her consistency and arrives fitter after two runs this term, yet still has ground to make up on the Crawford star. Gimme What I Want adds interest as a progressive three-year-old and may develop into a quality filly in time, but Wednesday’s race should reveal whether she is ready to challenge this class.
Elsewhere on the card, several stable runners and improvers look well placed to strike. Panjandrum finally finds a winning opportunity in Race 1 after three solid thirds against stronger opposition, while Montessori is expected to improve sharply on his debut effort in Race 2 for Andre Nel, whose yard is in good form. Nel is also represented by Blue Lagoon in Race 3, an improving filly who should relish the step up in trip from a favourable draw. Zagreb promises further progress in Race 4 after finishing second to the promising Touched By Angels, and looks well suited to 1400m. Masterofthedesert catches the eye in Race 6 on the back of a pleasing return at Durbanville and should be sharper for the run, with One Liner providing the main danger. Showgirl continues to impress and could be well ahead of the handicapper in Race 7, while Gallic Forge looks competitively placed in Race 8 after a solid post-maiden effort. The final races see Midnight Lady stepping up to 1400m with improvement expected in Race 9, before Greek Heiress, who has shown promise throughout her early career, appears ready to break her maiden in the finale.
Mon Petit Cherie, though, remains the headline act. If she brings even a shadow of last season’s form, she should outclass this line-up and set the tone for another successful campaign.
