Lanner Falcon – topweighted Bass runner
A fillies and mares handicap with seventeen runners in the mix. Throw in the Cape winter rain and the R150 000 Listed Olympic Duel Stakes to be run over 1200m at Kenilworth today has caution written all over it for exotic punters.
At least the draw bias at Kenilworth is not as exaggerated as the Scottsville straight track equivalent and they tend to be able to win from across the spectrum. But the mix of age, scope, class, ability, fitness and current form is enough to muddy the picture.
Decent Sort
Mike Bass’s classy Trippi filly Lanner Falcon carries a welterweight of 63,5kgs but has very decent course and distance form and is not far off the top fillies.
Her most impressive recent showing was her 3,50 length third to the year younger champion Cold As Ice in the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes in January. Lanner Falcon was giving 3,50kgs to the Ramsden runner, who admittedly won easily.
She showed her wellbeing last time after a ten week break when running on well from some way off to beat the equine ‘Zola Budd’ Promicing Polly by 3,75 lengths over the Kenilworth 1000m.
Pure Power – out of form but upset potemtial
Bass also saddles the 4yo Pure Power, who has had two runs since her unsuccessful Gauteng campaign.
The daughter of Captain Al surprised last time when getting up to beat Perini over Sunday’s course and distance.
While the latter is much better off at the weights, Pure Power warrants consideration on her better earlier form, which includes a stakes win as a 2yo.
Danger
Jet Supreme – plenty of assistance likely from Andrew Fortune
Andrew Fortune hops aboard Jet Supreme for Justin Snaith and the marriage between horse and rider could be one made in heaven.
The 5yo daughter of Jet Master has the ability to turn it on late in her races and ran a highly creditable second at level weights to Gr1 sprinter Fly By Night last time.
The latter caught the eye at Scottsville last Saturday when charging late to be shaded into third by Alboran Sea in the SA Fillies Sprint.
While Jet Supreme would ordinarily prefer it further, Fortune is the man, if anyone can, to settle and produce her at the right moment.
Turnaround
Joey Ramsden’s Miss Saigon is as game as the day is long and she enjoys a 4,5kg turnaround at the weights with Lanner Falcon for a 4,50 length beating last time.
The daughter of Captain Al is seldom far behind the action and has run in strong company for most of this season. If the race is run to suit her, she has the mix to come up trumps.
Antonia’s Fortress – classy filly
The former Yogas Govender trained Antonia’s Fortress is now with Justin Snaith and the daughter of Fort Wood must have an outstanding chance on the weight turnaround of her return run last time.
She returned from a ten week break and ran 5,45 lengths behind Lanner Falcon, after showing good pace early on.
Her 8kg swing at the weights is a massive one and if Craig Du Plooy can get her into the race, she could stay on and surprise them.
Doctor’s Orders
The third of the Snaith runners and most importantly, the ride of stable jockey Richard Fourie, is the stakes placed Captain Al filly Highly Decorated.
The talented four-time winning course and distance winner returns from a break of 13 weeks after running unplaced behind Yoshie at Fairview. Highly Decorated was not persevered with there after reportedly making a respiratory noise. She has run well fresh previously and must be included.
Glen Kotzen’s The Which Doctor is a very decent sort on her day, but returns from a 17 week break after an extended formless spell.
She has run off a high of 103 at her best and could find place money if stripping fresh and running off her current 95.
Top Jockeys
Adam Marcus engaged the services of two top visiting riders for his runners.
Gavin Lerena is under a 48 hour suspension after being stood down at Greyville on Saturday and was due to ride the smart five time winning Greys Inn filly Souk, who returns from a 14 week break.
A course and distance winner, her fitness can only be taken on trust.
S’manga Khumalo – rides Fear Not
The same does not apply to S’manga Khumalo’s mount.
The Ideal World filly Fear Not has won twice and been placed four times in her six runs and after a decent fourth under a length behind Sunset Tripp in the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes last time, she reverts to 1200m.
She has a galloping weight of 52kgs, a top jockey and is fit.
Als Bonanza beat Surfer Girl over the course and distance last time and the latter is now 2,5kgs better off for the half length beating – which could swing things her way.
Geoff Woodruff saddles his first Cape winter season feature runner in the Australian bred Ntombe.
The daughter of Stratum has been rested 14 weeks and is likely to need a run or two to regain fitness and settle in to her new Milnerton base.
Paul Reeves has been enjoying a few winners of late. He saddles Baby Be Mine who ran on well behind Aliysa’s Prize over the course and distance last time, but is in under sufferance.
Class
While she carries a big weight, Lanner Falcon is fit and represents the class. She is the selection to beat Antonia’s Fortress and Miss Saigon – with Fortune the danger man on Jet Supreme.
3yo Fear Not looks progressive and has a top jockey in the irons.
Go as wide as possible in the Pick 6 and Jackpot.
