Durbanville racing preview, form and tips for Wednesday
Our Hollywoodbets Durbanville tips, form and preview focus on Wednesday’s eight-race card, where Vercicat can build on two recent second-placed finishes when he contests the Class 4 over 1250m in Race 7.
Vercicat should now be primed after two runs back from a rest and gets plenty in his favour from Draw 3 under Richard Fourie, who has renewed his productive association with trainer Justin Snaith. Avignon, Gold Dust, Celtic Chief and Like Dynamite should ensure a solid tempo and that could set the race up nicely for Vercicat, who was held in tight quarters before just missing behind Ireland Forever last time. Behave Harris is another to respect if settling better after racing too keenly when caught in a pace duel with Celtic Chief at his latest start.
MORE: South African horse racing
Cedar Point gives the Snaith-Fourie combination another strong chance in Race 5, with blinkers fitted and a favourable draw in Gate 2. He has been consistent off his current rating and his recent form behind Blind Date, Miami Summer and Diamond Rock gives him winning claims. United Front and Loving Prague fought out a close finish over this course and distance last time, while Ferryman is an interesting runner second-up following a rest and gelding operation.
Waiting Game could provide some value in Race 3, the opening leg of the Pick 6. Catch Me deserves favouritism and Zanfan Moris should again be competitive, but Waiting Game is an improving, well-bred son of Rafeef who should appreciate the step up to 1600m and was available at double-figure odds in early betting. Born To Master is another progressive runner worth following in Race 4 after winning his maiden impressively, although the rise into C Stakes company presents a much tougher examination.
Below is our free form analysis and racing tips for all eight races at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday.
Race 1
Hollywoodbets Durbanville Welcomes You Open Mdn
SICILY (1) has been well tried in the maiden ranks and stayed on nicely for fifth behind RACHETTU on July 25. He drops in trip to 1000m and gets the services of top jockey Richard Fourie, making this a good opportunity for him to finally get it right. EL COHETE (4) finished just under three lengths behind BARNEY MCGREW at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on September 2 and has plenty of speed, so her chances must be respected. MADE IN CHELSEA (6) returns from a rest after being gelded and is much better than his latest performance suggests. If he does not need the run, he could get into the places. LANA’S GAL (3) looks best of the remainder on form and has a good draw, so there should be no excuses.
Our tip: 1-4-6-3
Race 2
Join The Race Coast Turf Club Mdn Plate (F & M)
FINAL SAY (4) returns from an 81-day break after two fair performances in succession, including a decent effort behind GRAPES OF WRATH in the Irridescence Stakes Listed. The form of that race has worked out well and the step up in trip should suit, so she needs to be included in all bets. OH ISABELLA (6) has been rested for 92 days after staying on well for fourth behind PEACE GARLAND on June 16. She looks progressive and the longer trip is a major positive. NTIBINDI (8) produced a much better performance when doing good work late for third behind GOLDEN SHIMMER on August 15 and will be among the places if repeating that effort. VICTORIA CROSS (1) could be the value runner after improving from her first start to her second. She has a good draw and could improve again over the longer distance.
Our tip: 4-6-8-1
Race 3
Lucky Fish Hot Hot Fruit Mdn Plate
CATCH ME (2) looks one of the better bets on the card after running a lovely race behind WARRIOR OF DESTINY on August 12. With further improvement expected, he should be hard to beat from a good draw. ZANFAN MORIS (1) did not have much luck when finishing fifth in the same race and should get every opportunity from the inside draw. YOU MADE ME LOOK (5) returns after a rest and gelding operation having finished just under five lengths behind stable companion ROYAL LIGHT on July 14. He can be competitive if not needing the run, although respiratory noises in his three starts are a concern. WAITING GAME (8) is very well bred and improved nicely from his first run to his second. The step up to 1600m should suit and he could be doing his best work late.
Our tip: 2-1-5-8
Race 4
Bet With Tote Www.tote.co.za C Stakes
WEHAVEASITUATION (4) finished strongly for third behind BOOZY SUSIE on August 22 and should be cherry ripe for this assignment. If the gaps open at the right time, she can be right in the finish at a decent price. BORN TO MASTER (5) quickened impressively to win his maiden on August 15 and should appreciate the step up to 2000m. This is a significant rise in class, but he finished that race full of running and carries a light weight. BATON ROUGE (8) won well last time and received a five-point increase for that August 15 victory. If able to secure a favourable position turning for home, he can win again. GLENALMOND (10) is in excellent form and should be running on strongly late.
Our tip: 4-5-8-10
Race 5
Race Coast Incentives Powered By Hollywoodbets C Stakes
UNITED FRONT (10) bounced back to his best form with an impressive victory on August 22 and received only a two-point increase for that success. The yard thinks highly of this gelding and, with some luck from a difficult draw, he can go close again. CEDAR POINT (2) seldom runs a bad race and caught the eye when finishing third behind DIAMOND ROCK at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on August 12 despite casting a shoe. Blinkers are fitted and, from a favourable draw under Richard Fourie, he should run a massive race. FERRYMAN (4) badly needed his latest outing and should be much fitter second-up following a rest and gelding operation. SUTHERLAND (5) finished just over two lengths behind IRELAND FOREVER on August 22 and should appreciate the step up in trip despite having a big weight to shoulder.
Our tip: 10-2-4-5
Race 6
Rcs Two Year Old Sale 24 October Class 5 (F & M)
MEG’S LEGACY (1) stayed on well for third behind SPARKLING STAR on August 22 and should be given every opportunity from a favourable draw. RED FLAG (2) powered away from the field to win her maiden in style on August 15 and remains open to considerable improvement. From another good draw, she is capable of winning again. TAKE IT AS RED (7) should appreciate the drop in trip and can get among the places at a decent price if overcoming a tricky draw. EASY MONEY (8) won a good race up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on August 15 and was raised six points for that success. If she can get to the front without being pressured early, she could prove difficult to catch.
Our tip: 1-2-7-8
Race 7
Lucky Fish Mystic Fortune Class 4
GOLD DUST (1) ran a great race for second behind LYRICAL GANGSTER on August 5 and should be positioned just off the speed before producing his challenge late. From a good draw, he can absolutely win. AVIGNON (5) quickened clear impressively at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on August 22 and was given an eight-point increase for that victory. His chances must again be respected on current form. LIKE DYNAMITE (6) finished fourth in the same race as GOLD DUST last time and is a young horse with plenty of ability. He should run another big race. VERCICAT (3) has finished second in both starts since a rest and only narrowly missed behind IRELAND FOREVER on August 22 after being held in tight quarters. Draw 3 and the booking of Richard Fourie are major positives and he should be right there in the finish.
Our tip: 1-5-6-3
Race 8
Hollywoodbets Bright Future Middle Stakes
ALL ABOUT AL (2) had absolutely no luck in running when finishing third behind stable companion OLIVER on August 15. Champion jockey Craig Zackey knows the gelding well and, from a neat draw, he should go close to winning. DREAMWORLD (1) needed his latest outing up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and was beaten just under a length by the talented SUGAR MOUNTAIN on August 15. He should be much fitter this time and must be included in all bets. TROIS SEPT HUIT (8) stayed on strongly for third behind ALL ABOUT AL on July 18 and looks progressive, making him one to watch closely late. PINK PIGEON (4) seldom runs a bad race and her honesty gives her another good chance of getting involved in the finish.
Our tip: 2-1-8-4
