The R150 000 Need For Speed Sprint to be run over the Kenilworth 1000m today is restricted to 3yo’s and boasts a smart nationally representative field of thirteen ‘quickies’.
Tobie Spies saddles the topweighted Van Halen, the only Gr1 winner in the line-up and consequently gives 5kgs and more away to his opposition.
Tobie Spies is hoping Van Halen can bounce back
The at times unorthodox, yet often lethally effective, training techniques of the Tobie Spies team sees the gelding revert to the straight track just seven days after an undistinguished attempt to win the Cape Guineas.
Van Halen ran a 13 length last in the eight horse classic last Saturday and after a similarly ordinary effort in the Merchants at his penultimate jump, looks like he just doesn’t fancy the Cape too much.
On his best form down the straight track he could eat this lot for breakfast, and it is interesting that he gets the blinkers fitted. It can’t be a positive sign that Craig Zackey jumps ship to Candice Dawson’s Vardo though!
Van Halen’s stablemate Miss Khalifa comes in with a featherweight 50kgs and must have a chance at the weights on her very best form.
Goliath Heron is the first of the Dennis Drier coupling. He was only 4,50 lengths off Van Halen in the Gr1 Gold Medallion and with a swing of 8kgs in the weights comes into the picture. That said, he has only had one quiet run this season and fitness could be suspect.
Justin Snaith’s Seventh Sea ran a shocker in the CTS Ready To Run Stakes and prior to that was well beaten in the Cape Classic. A speedy sort, he could enjoy the switch back to the sprint track and Richard Fourie adds value from the saddle.
Pleasedtomeetyou wins the Listed Sophomore Sprint (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Listed Sophomore Sprint winner Pleasedtomeetyou found little at the finish of his last two starts – a fair 3 length third in the Cape Classic and then dropped out when a weak fourth behind Sand And Sea. He needs to improve and may well do so when back down to the minimum cut.
Sean Tarry’s lightly exposed Captain Al colt Mythical Bolt showed terrific pace when winning on Summer Cup day but will need to assert himself here.
Russet Air shed his maiden at his second start and was then outpaced when finishing out of the money next time out. This looks on the sharp side for him.
Joey Ramsden – in top form
Joey Ramsden’s yard was in fine form on Saturday and the Var colt Montego Bay has decent form over the track and trip and must have a shout. He certainly looks to have the best form of the local contingent.
Dennis Drier’s promising Master Of My Fate gelding Mastagambit shed his maiden in good style at his second start – his first in the Cape. He beat Silva’s Fling who didn’t exactly confirm the form next time but off the 52kgs mark is another unknown quantity with scope.
Ashley Fortune is in town with the 2018 Sophomore 1000 Dalai’s Promise, a talented daughter of Potala Palace, who has won two good races up North. In her favour will be her experience of the Kenilworth track as she started her career down here with Brett Crawford.
Candice Dawson – saddles Vardo
Candice Dawson saddles her first Cape runner in the shape of the speedy and lightly tried Vardo who looks something of an unknown quantity off his 52kgs.
Sailor Sam has proven a bit in and out and showed plenty of pace last time out when carrying topweight and going down 2 lengths third to the talented Montego Bay. He looks to have a tough task here.
Paul Reeves’ Skidoo loves the course and distance and registered a second career win in a weak MR 68 Handicap at his last start. He looks held by Sailor Sam but is worth considering for the back end of quartets.
The speed will be at full tilt all the way. While he has been a disappointment in Cape Town, we are inclined to give Van Halen a chance to pick himself up off the canvas and have another go. He was never further forward than last in the Guineas and may not have had a tough race. Pleasedtomeetyou has the credentials to win this, while Montego Bay is on the up.
What They Carry
Saturday’s non black-type Kenilworth feature is open to all 3-year-olds.
Weights are framed as follows:
One time winners and placed Maidens carry a base 52kg
Thereafter, a penalty of 2kg is levied for each additional win in past 18 months.
Graded and stakes race penalties apply as follows:
Winner of a Grade 1 – 4kg for each such win
Winner of a Grade 2 – 3kg for each such win
Winner of a Grade 3 – 2kg for each such win
Winner of a Listed – 1kg for each such win
Penalties are not cumulative and weights will not exceed 60kg for Colts & Geldings and 57,5kg for Fil lies.
A sex allowance of 2,5kg for Fil lies
