The road to the treasure chest of a projected R1,6 million Pick 6 pool at Kenilworth today is littered with a few bear traps.
And none is more testing than the R400 000 Gr2 Merchants – a handicap known for dishing up the odd surprise.
Flashback to 2017 – Silicone Valley beats Dutch Philip
The well-performed 4yo Dutch Philip is a multiple course and distance specialist of some standing and looks the right horse in the 2018 renewal after being beaten narrowly by Silicone Valley a year ago.
Aldo Domeyer takes the reins again and the gelding can build on his staying on pipe-opener second to Gr1 star Undercover Agent last time. His home ground form is lengths better than anything he produced in KZN and he must go very close.
Bishop’s Bounty – a little in and out
The in-and-out Bishop’s Bounty is another fellow who enjoys the course and distance and meets Dutch Philip on 1,5kgs better terms after finishing 1,80 lengths behind the Bass-Robinson runner in the same warm-up last time.
While S’manga Khumalo takes the Bishop’s Bounty ride, Richard Fourie rides Kasimir – next of the Snaith five-pronged assault.
The son of Captain Al stretched the 3yo star One World before tiring late over 1400m at Durbanville last time. He put up a smart gallop at Kenilworth recently and could be ready to run a big race as there is little between him and Dutch Philip on a level weights run on Met day. The stable fancy Kasimir.
The improving Valbonne carries just 52kgs and comes into the reckoning on his 0,75 lengths behind Dutch Philip last time. He is 1,5kgs better off with the Bass-Robinson flyer and is relatively unexposed as he sets out for his eleventh start.
Sir Frenchie overcame some bumping to win his last start beating Power Grid at Durbanville. A course-and-distance winner, he must have place prospects.
Brutal Force – Wesley Marwing rides
Joey Ramsden’s evergreen 7yo Brutal Force has lost his best form of late and ran a shocker in this race last year. He is capable of producing his best after a rest – but did his stint in the Eastern Cape do him any good?
Our Mate Art produced his usual good effort in the Matchem Stakes when staying on for third behind Rainbow Bridge. This looks tougher for him.
Star Chestnut is probably better over slightly further but will strip fitter after his Matchem prep.
Although the stable is happy with his recent work, Lord Balmoral has lost his better earlier form and the same applies to the very game and capable Sergeant Hardy.
Search Party flashback – wins Merchants in 2016
Lightly raced in recent times, Search Party won this race in 2016 but was well beaten in 2017 when 9 lengths off Silicone Valley. He stayed on well under two lengths behind Undercover Agent last time.
Tobie Spies takes his chances with Gr1 winner Van Halen who opened his 3yo account in sparkling style at his last Turffontein start. The son of Oratorio faces his first test of the season and can lay claim to bigger things with a big effort.
Van Halen – star 3yo takes on the older hoirses
Alec Laird’s Joburg visitor Amazing Strike has his first run at Kenilworth and returns from a 25 week break. A decent winner of eight races, he could be hard-pressed to challenge here.
Too Phat To Fly returned from a rest to run 3,65 lengths off Anime in fillies and mares company in the Laisserfaire Stakes last time. The daughter of Bezrin is a game course-and-distance winner and capable of running into the back end of quartets.
The 9yo Tevez has his sixth tilt at the Merchants and has a commendable record in the race. He won the Merchants in 2013 and 2014, ran second in 2015, ran fifth in 2016 and fourth last year. This must be his biggest ask to date but he knows his way from his Milnerton stable to Kenilworth and picked up his ninth career win as recently as June.
New Caledonia ran a cracker when lifting his game to chase Rainbow Bridge home in the Matchem Stakes last time. His earlier form gave no hint that he could be a G2 winning sprinter but the son of Right Approach could chase a place cheque if things go his way.
Computaform Sprint winner Attenborough
The very smart 2018 Gr1 Computaform Sprint winner Attenborough ran on steadily in this race last year when beaten 2.50 lengths by Silicone Valley. He has not raced in 17 weeks since chasing Equus Champion Sprinter Will Pays home in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint. He is a horse who runs well fresh.
Bernie is the last of the Bass-Robinson quartet and takes a step up in class again after an unplaced run in the Matchem Stakes when beaten 3 lengths by Rainbow Bridge. He caught the eye over the course-and-distance last time when staying on behind Kenny Trix.
Bold Respect – returns from a rest
Bold Respect comes off a rest of 22 weeks since his sensational Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint victory at Scottsville. The son of Bold Silvano lumbers a hefty 62kgs and while the class horse in the field, has his work cut out here.
A tough contest as it always is. Dutch Philip can atone for his defeat last year but he will have to be at his best to catch the superfast Van Halen. It doesn’t end there with Bishop’s Bounty and Valbonne potential challengers. It should be a cracker of a contest!
