With the heavy rains in the Western Cape generally a thing of the past, the going at Hollywoodbets Durbanville is improving rapidly and the ground was relatively quick at the previous race meeting on Saturday.
The change in going from the heavy underfoot conditions experienced over the last couple of months does mean that some of the recent form is not going to stand up as the better weather takes hold.
Cape Racing stages an eight-race programme at the country course this afternoon and the Lucinda Woodruff stable could be worth following.
Lucinda Woodruff – another good day on the cards at Hollywoodbets Durbanville (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Graeme Hawkins writes on www.goldcircle.co.za that Miss Woodruff won the last race on Saturday with Café Culture at a big price and she could be on the mark with Beerenberg in Race 3, the R125 000 Cape B Stakes over 1000m.
The conditions of the race do favour the Adam Marcus-trained What A State and she will receive as much as 9 kgs from Beerenberg which could swing the outcome in her favour. In addition What A State won her only start over track and trip in March earlier this year and the daughter of What A Winter has generally held her form quite well since. Gareth Wright who rode a double at the course over the weekend takes the ride.
But Beerenberg has won twice at Hollywoodbets Durbanville from only three starts and is clearly course suited.
It has been a long time since Beerenberg last campaigned over the minimum trip and on that occasion, a year ago, he ran second in heavy going behind Ragnar Lothbrok who is also engaged here today. Beerenberg’s winning form has always been on better going and although side-lined since May, the son of Erupt could come out fresh and run a very forward race.
Woodruff saddles the coming-back-to-form Bullitt in Race 4, also over 1000m. The ante-post favourite here is the ultra-consistent Jury Duty but the 6yo daughter of Greys Inn will have it all to do from the worst of the draw.
Bernard Fayd’herbe (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Bernard Fayd’herbe takes the ride on Bullitt and he may choose to adopt similar pillar-to-post tactics which saw him boot home Café Culture for the stable on Saturday.
On the evidence of their last run, there is not much to choose between Charlie Malone and Bullitt but I fancy that Bullitt may be able to reverse the order over the minimum trip. Final Move and Worsdsworth have upset chances but Bullitt could be on target.
In Race 6 Woodruff sends out two runners, best of which seems to be My Flower Fate. The lightly raced daughter of Master Of My Fate has won her last two starts and Corne Orffer retains the ride.
She appears to have scope for further improvement and it counts in her favour that she won her maiden at the country course.
Stable companion Island Treasure, Veronica Mars and track specialist Fleeting could be the principal dangers but there is every reason to believe that My Flower Fate can complete the hat-trick.
The first race on the programme is also the richest race on the card, the R150 000 Cape A Stakes over 1250m, and the bang-in-form Silver Falcon is a short-priced favourite to score his fifth consecutive victory.
However he will face stiff opposition from the useful 4yo Wecangoallnight who is 2 kgs better off for a half-a-length beating last time at Kenilworth.
Silver Falcon seen winning on the Fairview poly – more to do today (Pic – Pauline Herman)
Interestingly both Silver Falcon and Wecangoallnight have won at Hollywoodbets Durbanville but it remains to be seen whether Silver Falcon is going to be as effective on the faster ground.
Wecangoallnight has been desperately unlucky in his last two starts and, from the widest draw of all, he is again likely to have to come with his customary flying finish from well off the pace turning for home.
After The Rain is very speedy and with Richard Fourie in the saddle, he could surprise the two chief protagonists.
Kythera shapes up as being the nap of the day in the second race, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1000m. She has finished third in both starts to date and from a handy draw, Kythera should take a power of beating.
She probably has most to fear from Nile The Boss but Kythera should get the job done and rates a confident Place Accumulator and Bipot banker.
The first is off at 12h45.
