Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount was withdrawn because of a dirty scope when expected to start favourite a fortnight ago but apparently all is well now.
“She is a nice filly and we didn’t want to take any chances with her,” explains assistant trainer Ricardo Sobotker. “She is over everything now.” She opened at 9-2 with Betting World yesterday and that looks value. Evoke Emotion (5-2) and Dungeon Dragon (7-2) are obvious dangers.
Arezzo opened 14-10 favourite for the maiden 35 minutes later but 3-1 shot No Resistance may recoup the losses he incurred here on Christmas Eve. He started at 2-1 that day but raced wide on the bend and only managed fifth. “He was a little disappointing and I left him in this because he is drawn well and in case he just got beaten,” says Mike Bass. “I don’t think running him again so soon will do him any harm and hopefully he will win this time.”
Ramsden’s Stem In Die Bos is 16-10 favourite for the opening maiden and has the best form but Dennis Drier’s horses are always to be feared in Cape Town, not least because he only brings those he thinks are going to win, and The Tripster gets marginal preference at 18-10.
Line Break is the form horse, and the favourite, in the All To Come Handicap but Bass says he is battling with soundness issues. In the circumstances 15-10 looks too short.
It’s the second run after a rest for Playingtheenemy (7-2) whose good run three weeks ago was his first for seven months. “He had a torn ligament in his pastern,” explains Darryl Hodgson but obviously caution is advised.
First run out of the maidens also carries a warning but Casual Fan (7-2) looked a different horse when fitted with blinkers last time. Admittedly the handicapper reacted as if the horse had bit him and promptly upped him nine points. Even so, given the doubts about the principal opposition, he may win again.
Come Fly With Me has been upped seven points, or 3.5kg, for her convincing win on Vasco Premier day. She won like a good horse in the making but Bass is concerned about the amount of the hike – “It’s difficult at the weights, particularly against older horses, and the handicappers are making it hard for her.”
She opened 5-2 favourite for the Soccer GG Handicap but perhaps the 5kg that 9-2 chance Aliysa’s Prize receives will swing the balance. She is fitted with cheek pieces after wandering in the final furlong last time. “She did everything right until then and she had the race in the bag,” Glen Kotzen points out.
