16 fillies and mares will load into the gates for the SABC Listed Olympic Duel Stakes over the ‘straight six’ at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth to kick start the World Pools initiative with the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Candy Town (Serino Moodley) is the quickest in Saturday’s Race 6 field (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The size of the field and the presence of several confirmed speedballs suggest it will be true run 1200m.
Candy Town (12) is the quickest of them all and Andre Nel’s filly will try carry her raw speed an extra panel, having run with distinction over 1000m.
Siddeley (11), second in this race last year, is another dangerous on- pace runner under high percentage hoop, Gavin Lerena, with Disting (6), Golden Tatjana (4) Berry’s Boogie (2) and Southern Skies (3) others that like to race handy.
At recent meetings, the inside part of the sprint course (low numbers) has been favoured. That will aid the cause of course and distance specialist Nordic Quest (1) who can hug the inner rail then launch her closing rally.
Candice Bass Robinson’s charge should be primed third up after a rest. Nordic Quest has a zippy turn of foot and quality speed figures to compete at this class level.
Summer Lily (8) is a deep- closing sprinter who is usually held up off the pace and then needs luck in running to weave past tiring front runners. A fast early tempo will suit her and from her middling draw, jockey Grant van Niekerk, who rode with some success in Hong Kong a few years back, has positional options.
Trainer Lucinda Woodruff has her yard in great nick – six wins and five seconds from the last 30 saddled. She is the daughter of Geoff Woodruff, past champion trainer in SA. Former Hong Kong trainer, Tony Millard is her uncle so there is loads of training wisdom in her pedigree. She conditions 3YO, Mai Sensation (13), a recent fluent winner with a progressive profile.
Symphony in White (16) was top class as a juvenile and gets her opportunity to show that she has trained on. Her high draw may prove a hindrance if recent stats hold true. But if able to overcome that issue, she has the latent ability to get right into this mix.
Southern Skies (3) could be a pace factor down the inside but will need to shine up after a couple of dull efforts. Jockey Richard Fourie and trainer Azzie strike at a 39%-win rate, so must be respected whenever they join forces. Their mare is a must- use in single race exotics.
Of the balance, Mia Moo (5) who duffed it last time in the Cape Merchants, needs to regain her Johannesburg form. Hong Kong racing fans will remember Piere Strydom who partnered J.J. the Jet Plane. Though now nearing retirement, he is still riding expertly in South Africa and will get the leg up on Sean Tarry’s filly.
Gareth van Zy’s Pritti Victory (15) has won three of seven starts but must improve on a poor recent local try. Likewise, I’m so Pritti (7) and Miss Marguerite (9) also have a few lengths to make up to seriously threaten.
On a line through Mai Sensation and Siddeley, Kyalami Girl (10) has a place chance on these revised weight terms, but Pineapplemintgreen is badly off form and needs a dramatic turn around to get involved.
