Evie’s Light could be worth a chance at 5-1 in a big field for the opening Fillies Maiden Juvenile at Kenilworth today.

Greg Ennion’s filly is better than last time’s six-length third would suggest – she got worked up when loading and went over backwards – but her previous run puts her bang there and Greg Cheyne is a bonus.

“Something happened at the back of the stalls – I don’t know what but she is not like that,” says Ennion who had a two-year-old winner on Saturday. “It affected her performance badly and she now gets frightened – not of the pens but when she is behind them. However she worked very well on Saturday.”

Greg Cheyne (Liesl King)

Sharing 5-1 second favouritism with World Sports Betting yesterday was the Brett Crawford newcomer First Swallow, a R525 000 Kahal filly out of the Danehill Dancer mare Acquavella who is a half-sister to a French Group 1 winner. The fact that Corne Orffer is on her in preference to Love Dove (who has a definite chance and has been backed from 7-1 to 9-2 favouritism) is a significant pointer.

But this is a very open race. Seemingly, though, not too much should be read into Bernard Fayd’Herbe partnering 11-2 shot Tough Love rather than going for the more obvious claims of Sassy Lady (13-2).

“There is really nothing between them but Tough Love is difficult so Bernard rides her,” explains Jonathan Snaith, adding: “Tough Love does have ability and could pop up.”

Another to note is the Trippy filly Arctic Siren (8-1) because Candice Bass-Robinson’s first-timers have a better strike rate than most.

Colour Magic is 22-10 favourite for the mile handicap (race two) and stable companion Tonya next best at 28-10. The victory of Cortada on Saturday suggests that Vaughan Marshall is putting his recent virus attack behind him.

Marginal preference, though, is for Katie’s Jay (33-10) as she has been dropped a kilo for last time’s run when she had valid excuses – she lost ground at the start and was tightened for galloping room.

Dark Chocolate (backed from 13-2 to 5-1 yesterday) was raised three points after getting up in the last 100m in a big field and Sublime Lady (5-1) dropped the same amount while Fayd’Herbe’s mount Petty Officer (also 5-1) returns after a three and a half month absence. “She had a break and I want to run her in the Ladies Mile,” says Ennion. “This is the only suitable prep but she is working very well.”

The consistent Apollo Star was brushed inwards when starting favourite against older horses last time and the Ramsden gelding should collect at around 2-1 in the Tablonline.co.za Maiden Juvenile.

A line through Miss Katalin suggests that 5-2 chance Daring Miss may beat 19-10 favourite Heart Of A Legend in the Racing Association Maiden.

By Michael Clower