Silvan Star may come out on top in a hot race for the Place Your Bets Graduation Plate at Durbanville today.

Greg Cheyne’s mount scored over 200m further here last month in her first race since early June and afterwards Glen Kotzen disclosed that this was the filly he had been aiming at the KZN version of the Fillies Guineas. However a series of foot abscesses caused her to miss most of the Durban season.

Captain Gambler, winner of the 1 500m Irridescence, is an obvious danger and Joey Ramsden says she has come on since her return here 16 days ago.

The four-month absent Fromafar has a theoretical 4.5kg in hand over the next best (Just Sensual) on adjusted merit ratings but Dean Kannemeyer cautions: “She may not be at full racing fitness and may just need it.”

In the circumstances Silvan Star looks fairly priced at World Sports Betting’s 3-1. Captain Gambler is on the same price with stable companion Just Sensual on 15-4, Abound West 9-2, Leisure Trip 5-1, Fromafar and Lady Of The House 7-1 and Excellent the rank outsider at 33-1.

The opening 1 400m maiden looks a straight fight between Cheyne’s mount Candid and Greenflashsunset, the first of S’Manga Khumalo’s six rides for Justin Snaith. Both horses finished strongly to take second on their debuts here nearly three weeks ago and will obviously be suited by the extra furlong.

Candid would have won in another stride but Greenflashsunset came from some way back and was last turning into the straight. “It will be close predicts,” Snaith who reports that his colt has been doing well while Candice Bass-Robinson adds: “Candid ran green that day but he has done well since.”

Candid opened favourite at 15-10 and his turn of foot would have made him the choice had the race been over 1 200m but over this trip his slightly better-priced  (22-10) opponent may just prevail.

Nightingale Lane has obvious appeal at 9-2 in the next where Snaith’s My Word My Bond is favourite at 5-2 and gets the vote. “He has been gelded since his last run and he has a chance,” says the trainer. Brett Crawford has any amount of useful three-year-old maidens but newcomer Border Control, who opened favourite at 3-1, is likely to ease following Andrew Fortune’s decision to cry off his mounts.

Andre Nel’s horses seem to be running as well as ever so it could pay to side with Jingle Belle at 5-2 in the Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap.

Michael Clower