Classy. Mike Bass’ Fly By Night enjoys the sprint track and needs to be considered as a serious challenger
The Cape winter ghost arrived in the Mother City last weekend and immediately set about wreaking havoc with the form. It may be worth bearing that in mind when considering the options in the R125 000 Listed Olympic Duel Stakes to be run over 1200m at Kenilworth on Sunday.
There are many punters who enjoy the challenge of the lottery approach and the lure of massive exotic payouts that tend to be the norm rather than the exception down in the Cape at this time of the year.
Promising
The fifteen horse field for this feature has all the makings of an upset result, although there are a few promising fillies that dominate the picture if things go according to plan.
Darryl Hodgson’s Count Dubois filly Fairyinthewoods has won three of her four starts all over the course and distance, and looks a very promising sort in the making While she has climbed quickly in the ratings, her style of running and turn of foot make her an exciting prospect who could be equal to her first serious test.
Moonlighting
Mike Bass’ Fly By Night has won 2 of her 7 starts and is another very promising 3yo filly. The daughter of Jet Master has registered both of her wins over the course and distance and ran a very creditable 4,25 length third to champion Blueridge Mountain in the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes last time. Fly By Night appears most comfortable over the sprint track and a big run is anticipated from her.
Purple Patch
Paddy Kruyer is enjoying the run of his life with his yard in excellent form and he sends out the 4yo National Emblem filly La Patineuse. The lightly raced four time winner has looked best at 1400m, but came out fresh after a break following her Listed Prix Du Cap unplaced effort, to run a good second over the course and distance.
Her length second to Lola Budd in that fillies handicap was a stamp of her well being and while meeting the Sheehan filly on a half kilo worse terms, La Patineuse is bound to strip a lot fitter.
Raider
Game. Varikate bids for a top three finish after maintaining her strong formline for an extended period
Muzi Yeni makes a rare trip to the Cape to ride for Justin Snaith. He partners the Var filly Varikate, who is 3,5 kgs better off with Fairyinthewoods for a 2,55 length beating over the course and distance last time out.
Varikate is a consistent performer who has won 3 from 7 starts and like Fly By Night, finished just over 4 lengths off Blueridge Mountain previously. That is close to winning form in this field.
Sands Of Time
Eric Sand s sends out two runners in La Tigresse and Life’s Design. Life’s Design has won 2 races and meets Fairyinthewoods on 3,5kgs better terms after a 2,75 length beating last time. The daughter of Bezrin is at home over the course and distance and must be considered.
Her stablemate La Tigresse looked very promising early on and ran on well for third behind Agra last time out. She is not well drawn right down the inside, which will count against her, but could be better than rated.
The race doesn’t end here, and the prospects of an upset result look a stark reality with the going likely to play a major part. We are suggesting a shootout between Fairyinthewoods and Fly By Night, with Varikate and Lifes Design staking claims to place money. But take care and go as wide as the budget allows.
