Bernard Fayd’Herbe is a rare visitor to KZN in the off season so when he does make an appearance it is best to take note.
He was aboard King Cyrus when Andre Nel’s runner made his debut at Kenilworth where he found some market support before finishing a little less than five lengths off Cape Of Storms.
That was back in November last year but Nel has a happy knack of earmarking horses that are likely to take to the poly track which is probably the reason for his move to Byron Forster who runs his Summerveld yard.
King Cyrus gets his chance in the first on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today but he may have to take a back seat to the filly Glitter And Gold.
Johan Janse van Vuuren has a solid Summerveld base with seasoned trainer Pat Lunn at the helm and Glitter And Gold made a smart poly debut when second to Whizz Of Odds last time out. Gavin van Zyl’s filly looks headed for bigger things come Champions Season which puts that form into perspective.
Track & Ball have her in the red with King Cyrus second favourite at 4-1.
Fayd’Herbe is often the go-to man for Frank Robinson, the two teaming up recently with Roy’s Riviera in the Flamboyant Stakes on Boxing Day. He has two rides for Robinson, Do Or Dare an obvious stable fancy in the second. The gelding doesn’t know how to run a bad race but has also been costly to follow – a beaten favourite in his last four outings.
With Fayd’Herbe up he may be worth another chance in spite of Chattertons Keeper and Ralph The Rascal more fancied in the market.
Ralph The Rascal impressed in his barrier trial, never coming off the bit and can feature in what stacks up as modest company. Chattertons Keeper was not too far back on debut behind the highly regarded Trip To Africa and should come on from that effort. However, his position at the top of the boards may be more due to the presence of Anton Marcus in the saddle for Wendy Whitehead, not a common combination.
Fayd’Herbe teams up with Princess Analia for Robinson in the fifth where the 12-1 currently on offer looks fairly generous given that she is down in class and back on the poly where she boasts some of her better form. Although only a four-time winner, she does seem better than her recent form suggests and you ignore at your peril.
American Princess, blinkered for the first time with Marcus aboard, is ruling favourite ahead of Dean Kannemeyer’s runner Arrabiata, these two dominating the market.
Fayd’Herbe’s agent was on the blower to Louis Goosen for the ride on Truly Wicked in the fourth with Marcus hoping to change the fortunes of Roy’s Physco who is still looking for his second win after a string of placed efforts.
He looked a winner last time out before Romanesca bulleted home from the tail of the field to win going away. He has a worrying tendency to always find one or two better on the day.
Truly Wicked’s merit rating has been dropping steadily and he looks competitive off his new mark. Marcus has jumped ship to partner the market leader but Fayd’Herbe is a more than capable replacement.
By Andrew Harrison
