Winning Form selections for Cape Town Met Day @Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 31st January where there are huge prizes available in the free to enter Punters Challenge
Race 1
Trainer Justin Snaith holds a strong hand in this contest. QUERARI DANCER caught the eye when winning on debut over 800m in the Non-Black Type Futurity Plate. She raced from just off the pace, showed a good turn of foot and drew off in the latter stages. The daughter of Querari returns from a 10-week break, during which time she would have strengthened up. She could be anything and can remain unbeaten.
CHAMPAGNE CASTLE has won her last two starts over 1000m with ease, the latest of which was in the Non-Black Type Charles Dickens Stakes. The daughter of Rafeef is likely to race on the speed and she can bring up the hat-trick.
ST HARRY was an impressive winner on debut over 1000m on this course. He lost two lengths leaving the start, but finished strongly and won going away. The son of Harry Angel would have gained from the experience and if jumping on terms, he should be involved at the finish.
Race 2
ERIC LIDDELL was an easy winner when shedding his maiden tag over this C&D. He was settled near the rear of the field, ran on well and won with a ton in hand. The son of Futura takes on stronger, but he looks to be above-average and should be up to the task at hand.
WEHAVEASITUATION finished 0.4 lengths behind WORLD FIRST last time. She is 1.5kgs better off at the weights today and that should be enough for the tables to be turned. The daughter of Master Of My Fate should have no issues with the extra 200m on offer, and she should give the males a run for their money.
WORLD FIRST dead-heated when winning his last start over 1800m on this course. The son of One World is a progressive type and jumps from a good draw of two. He is in a good space and can bring up the hat-trick.
Race 3
ZATARA MAGIC hails from the visiting Dean Smith stable. He won the Non-Black Type Fairview 1900 easier than the official margin suggests last time. The 6yo gelding has won once and finished third once from as many starts over this distance. He is likely to get his own way in front and if all went well with his travels, he may be hard to peg back.
HOLDING THUMBS has shown guts and determination to win his last two starts, the latest of which was in the Grade 3 Cape Of Good Hope Chairman’s Cup. The son of Vercingetorix has no stamina issues and can bring up the hat-trick.
MAGIC VERSE was doing his best work late when 0.75 lengths behind the second selection last time. He is 1kg better off at the weights today and there should not be much separating the pair at the finish. If seeing out the 2800m, he should be competitive.
Race 4
This is a competitive C Stakes field and caution is advised. The tentative first selection is MIRACULOUS from the James Crawford stable. She was running on when 0.4 lengths behindKELP FOREST last time. She is 3.5kgs better off at the weights today and that should be enough for the tables to be turned. The daughter of Rafeef is having her peak run and can go one better.
MAURITIUS KESTREL finished 0.7 lengths behind KELP FOREST in the race referred to above. He is 5.5kgs better off at the weights thanks to the services of 4kgs claiming Apprentice Sifisokuhle Bungane. The outside draw is an obvious concern, but he has the early gate speed to get across.
FOLLOW YOUR HEART stayed on at the finish when fifth over this C&D last time. The son of Master Of My Fate is having his peak run and should be cherry-ripe. His last victory came under Aldo Domeyer and the combination cannot be left out.
Race 5
ALL THE RAGE has top consistent form lines to his credit. He won his last start over 1200m on this course easier than the official margin suggests. The son of Rafeef has won once and finished third once from as many starts over this C&D. He does face his toughest test, but carries a handy galloping mass of 54kgs. He has class about him and can notch up his fifth-career victory.
SURJAY should have finished closer to the winner in the Grade 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship as he was switched for running room at the 250m mark. With a bit of luck in running, he should be competitive.
CAFE CULTURE finished 0.05 lengths behind the second selection last time. The pair meet on the same weight terms today and there should not be much separating them at the finish. The son of Var will be mowing down the frontrunners.
Race 6
SNOW PILOT is much better than his last two starts suggest. He raced on his own on the outside of the track in the Grade 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship last time and the 1000m was on the short side. He went too fast up front in the Grade 2 Ridgemont Green Point Stakes in his penultimate outing. It is encouraging that Richard Fourie steps back into the saddle. He should not have to work too hard to get his own way in front here and may be hard to peg back.
GREAT PLAINS is the stable companion of the top choice. He won a game race over this C&D last time and returns from a well-deserved 10-week break. He does have a wide draw to overcome, but gets the services of Andrew Fortune who will give him all the necessary assistance from the saddle.
O’TENIKWA was not beaten far in the Grade 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship last time. The son of Vercingetorix is an honest individual and merits healthy respect.
Race 7
DOUBLE GRAND SLAM was not beaten far in the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes last time. She has won three times, finished second twice and third twice from eight starts over this distance. It is encouraging that Andrew Fortune steps back into the saddle and with luck from her awkward draw, she can notch up her tenth-career victory.
RAINBOW LORIKEET ran a cracker when third in the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes last time. Two of her seven career victories have come over this distance. She always gives of her best and should be involved at the finish.
QUICKSTEPGAL was caught late when beaten 0.2 lengths by GIMME WHAT I WANT last time. She is 2kgs better off at the weights today and that should be enough for the tables to be turned. She won the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas in her penultimate run. The daughter of Vercingetorix is likely to get her own way in front from the wide draw and may be hard to peg back.
Race 8
The Grade 1 WSB Cape Town Met has arrived and it is a competitive contest. EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN showed signs of needing his seasonal debut in the Grade 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate. The son of Lancaster Bomber would have come on a lot since that outing and will love the rise to 2000m. It is encouraging that Richard Fourie steps back into the saddle. The combination won this race last year and can defend their title.
THE REAL PRINCE was given a peach of a ride to win the Grade 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate last time. The 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July winner is having his peak run and will be ideally suited to this C&D. He will be finishing strongly and merits healthy respect.
SEE IT AGAIN was unlucky not to have won the Grade 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate last time. The son of Twice Over is back to his best since arriving in Cape Town for the season. He will be at home over 2000m and with a genuine pace up front, he should be involved at the finish.
Race 9
HAPPY VERSE is the best bet on the programme. He ran a cracker when second in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas last time. He stayed on nicely at the finish but found one too good in the form of Jan Van Goyen. The son of Vercingetorix will love the rise to 1800m and with Andrew Fortune back in the saddle, he should take a power of beating.
RANDOLPH HEARST finished 0.3 lengths behind the top choice last time. The pair meet on the same weight terms today and there should not be much separating them at the finish. He steps up to 1800m and JP van der Merwe will need to switch him off early.
FOX ON THE RUN was doing his best work late when fifth in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas last time. The son of Canford Cliffs should be ideally suited to this distance. Richard Fourie retains the ride, and he should have a say in the outcome of this contest.
Race 10
PRINCESS OF GAUL stayed on at the finish when sixth in the Grade 2 Sceptre Stakes last time. She ran a good race when fourth in the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas in her penultimate run. The daughter of Vercingetorix jumps from an inside draw of two and can return to winning ways.
MAI SENSATION finished 0.35 lengths behind the top choice last time. She should have finished closer as she was held up for a run at the 200m mark. The daughter of Rafeef is the stable elect with JP van der Merwe up and she is one of the leading contenders.
CALL ME SECRET was not disgraced in the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas last time. She won her previous two efforts over this C&D. If jumping on terms, it would be no surprise to see her involved at the finish.
Race 11
GIVE ME EVERYTHING showed signs of a form return when sixth in the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes last time. She was slow into stride but stayed on nicely at the finish. The manner in which she finished off her race that day suggests that she will love the rise to 2000m. Craig Zackey steps back into the saddle and if jumping on terms, she can return to winning ways.
SWIATEK has good consistent form lines to her name. She was her own worst enemy last time as she over raced in the early stages and hung in the straight. The daughter of Pomodoro should have no issues with the rise to 2000m and if switching off early, she should throw out a big challenge to the top choice.
STRAWBERRY THIEF ran a fair race in the Grade 3 1Voucher Victress Stakes last time. The blinkers remain fitted and she steps up to 2000m. Richard Fourie steps back into the saddle and she can earn another cheque for her patrons.
Race 12
FOUDRE is one of the better bets on the programme. He followed up his maiden win with a hard-fought victory over this C&D. The son of Fire Away received a three-pound penalty for that victory. He looks to have ability and from his good draw of two, he can notch up the hat-trick.
SMARTEN UP finished 0.3 lengths behind the top selection last time. He is 0.5kgs better off at the weights today and there should not be much separating the pair at the finish. With luck in running, he should be right there.
BLIND DATE finished 1.05 lengths behind the top selection in the race referred to above. He is 1kg better off at the weights today and should finish closer as a result. Rene Piechulek retains the ride and the combination merit obvious consideration