Mauritzfontein and Wilgerbosdrift signing up Anthony Delpech as preferred rider was something of a master stroke as he has proved full value for the faith that the daughter and mother combination of Jessica and Mary Slack have placed in him.

Delpech will be aboard the Mauritzfontein-owned and Glen Kotzen-trained Silver Willow in the Soccer 6 FM Handicap at Greyville today on a card that will keep punters on their toes.

Silver Willow takes on some useful opposition but can add to her single victory.

Since arriving in KZN for the winter Kotzen may possibly over-matched her in a couple of outings and back in slightly weaker company Silver Willow must come in for serious consideration. She raced in a Listed feature last time out and although out of the money, she was only two lengths off the winner Louisiana. This will be her third run after a break and from a good draw has a lot going for her.

Filed Of Light was deemed good enough by Dennis Drier to make the trip to Cape Town for the summer. She showed early promise but it was not until she was stepped up to ten furlongs that she came to the party and shed her maiden. She has had one outing back, that in a strong handicap on the poly, and with that run under her girth she too looks a live contender.

Spring In Seattle and recent easy maiden winner Jay Jay’s Girl head a long list of possible winners should the top two fail.

Punters face an even bigger dilemma in the Durban View Restaurant Handicap where the majority of the field as in with a chance of success.

Restless Rouge has shown improved form since a disappointing Highveld raid and has his third run after a break. He is stepped up to 1400m here and looks to have as good a chance as any.

Mike Miller saddles recent maiden winner Valcar who led all the way over the Scottsville shortcut in his first run back after gelding. Apprentice Diego de Gouveia takes some pudding off his back and the step up in trip should hold no fears. He does look to have more scope for improvement.

Master Of Mischief was touched off over course and distance last time out and Wendy Whitehead’s gelding has been consistent since his last win. Friend Request sees Delpech team up with Mauritzfontein and Drier who was touched off at his penultimate start on the poly. A repeat showing will see him in the mix.

In the card opener, Glen Kotzen’s filly Edith’s Rose found market support on debut and then took her chances in a strong Juvenile Plate on Met day where she didn’t feature. She is up against seemingly weaker here. Tsessebe failed narrowly on debut when starting at 100-1. She has the best of the draw and is sure to have improved on her debut effort. However, they face an unraced pair in Lady Lisha and Torrey Pines and any market support for either or both should be respected.

In the colt’s version, Mark Dixon’s runner Northern Rebel has been close-up in all three starts and was feature placed in the Sentinel Stakes. Unless there is a springer amongst the first timers he rates the one to beat. Noble Duke has not been far back in two starts and the step up in trip should suit He has some poly experience which is a point in his favour. Freddie Flint makes his poly debut and seems better than his last effort when judged on his second start behind Arianos Bagofgold and finally, Epic Sword has improved with each outing and can feature.

By Andrew Harrison