Three quarters of the card at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday are Maiden Plates, but there are some extremely well-bred youngsters with appealing form and reputations. A crystal ball may be needed to know who could end up above average, but there could be some notebook entries by the end of the meeting.
Race 1 over 1000m looks fairly shallow. Nadia Nerina brings a good run on debut into play, having finished third, six lengths behind Magma Flow in April. She was scratched heading to the start on 12 August with an injury reported, but her quick return is a good sign that trainer Justin Snaith is happy with her. Gavin Lerena makes the trip to Cape Town for a good book of rides and takes the mount. Wide draws could make things difficult for Naughty Princess, Workingclasshero and Cape Town Deern.
Winter Blossom ran a ripper on debut behind the huge reputation of Over My Shoulder over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, finishing a length behind the half-sister to Eight On Eighteen. She runs in Race 2 over 1250m and a repeat should see her in the winner’s box. Callan Murray retains the ride for Lucinda Woodruff. Sabre Wing has something about her too, but Winter Blossom should have more to come.
Race 3 over 1250m is not strong. Kim Chanel gets the chance to maintain her recent good work over 1000m over the extra trip. Her last start was the first indication she might have the tools for the distance when getting going late behind Viridian Ruby. Michelle Rix has her yard in good heart and Kim Chanel should go close.
In Race 4 over 1400m, Time Of Our Lives gets a narrow nod despite gate No 9. He stayed on strongly on debut to finish close-up behind Ile Morris over 1250m and should have improvement to come. Red Hot Rifle, Wreath Of Snow and Gather Quick can also feature. Wreath Of Snow can improve over the extra trip but is still all reputation as a R9-million yearling.
Race 5 over 1400m looks a battle between Big City Roller and California Cat, who both finished second on debut in eye-catching circumstances. Big City Roller came from well back, while California Cat also finished strongly, suggesting further will suit. Big City Roller gets the narrow verdict from a slightly stronger formline.
The next two races are for winners, with Andre Nel and Muzi Yeni holding a strong hand. Cork Bay looks the part in Race 6 over 1250m. He has finished third behind Witch Hazel, then narrowly lost to Lyrical Gangster over the same course and distance before being beaten again over 1200m. With Nel’s yard in good heart, he could finally gain his overdue third career win.
In Race 7 over 1000m, Pushing Limits gets the preference for Yeni and Nel. Her last effort was encouraging when she looked likely to win before Black Erika collared her late. With low mileage, the six-year-old could have more in the locker.
Chinwag should exit the maidens in Race 8 over 1600m. A slow pace cost her last time, but her third in the Listed Iridescence Stakes behind Grapes Of Wrath sets a high standard. Murray is back aboard for Rix, and she could make the running and catch them on the stretch.
