Durbanville tips, form and full preview for Wednesday
Our Hollywoodbets Durbanville tips, form and preview for Wednesday, October 28, focus on a competitive eight-race card, with Stitchintime looking a strong chance in the opener, while Hero’s Journey and Sossusvlei are among the better bets later in the afternoon.
Stitchintime made an encouraging debut when finishing within half a length of Above The Law and should benefit from that experience. Mickaelle Michel takes the ride for James Crawford, and the promising three-year-old has drawn ideally in barrier one. Tag And Release is another runner worth following after producing a sharp finish over an unsuitable 1000m last time, with the step up to 1250m expected to suit.
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Hero’s Journey receives a favourable weight allowance in Race 4 after an excellent effort behind stablemate Rich Man’s World, while Sossusvlei can build on a promising maiden victory in the sixth. October Rush also looks well placed to open his winning account in the finale after showing significant improvement at his second start.
Below is our free form analysis and racing tips for all eight races at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday.
Race 1
Hollywoodbets Durbanville Welcomes You Mdn Plate
STITCHINTIME (1) made an encouraging debut when staying on strongly for third behind ABOVE THE LAW, finishing within half a length of the winner. The well-bred gelding was green on that occasion and should improve considerably with the experience behind him. Mickaelle Michel takes the ride from an ideal inside draw, making him the runner to beat. TEQUILA TANGO (2) finished just over three lengths behind BRIGHT FATE on October 7 and finally gets a favourable draw. With Andrew Fortune aboard, he looks capable of sharp improvement. SNOW SNIPER (7) progressed nicely from his debut to his second outing, and the form of that latest race has worked out well. He remains open to further improvement and must be included in calculations. GREEN SENSATION (6) looks best of the remainder and should be finishing strongly enough to challenge for a place.
Our tip: 1-2-7-6
Race 2
Bet With Tote Www.tote.co.za Class 4
KELP FOREST (1) quickened impressively to win over this course on September 2 and received only a three-point increase in the ratings. He has another favourable draw and should be given every opportunity to follow up. GOLD DUST (4) was equally impressive when powering clear of his opposition on September 16. He also received a modest three-point penalty and should be finishing strongly after being held up early. TAG AND RELEASE (2) produced a much-improved performance on October 4, making good late ground behind OLIVER over an inadequate 1000m. The step up to 1250m should suit Greg Ennion’s gelding, who has a favourable draw and Keagan de Melo aboard. He is a serious winning contender but is very short at 2.45 with HollywoodBets (HollywoodBets review). MARCUS AURELIUS (3) has blinkers fitted for the first time and may find this distance a little short, but should be doing his best work in the closing stages.
Our tip: 1-4-2-3
Race 3
Lucky Fish Magic Mile Mdn Plate (F & M)
PARADIGM SHIFT (4) showed pleasing improvement from her first start to her second and looks ready for another step forward. The move up to 1600m should be ideal, and she has a favourable draw from which to make her presence felt. GIMME PERFECT (2) has been holding her form particularly well and now gets blinkers fitted. She is drawn nicely and looks a major winning threat if the headgear brings further improvement. SIGN OF SPRING (3) was beaten just over a length at her latest start on October 14 and should be approaching peak fitness. She looks capable of getting involved at an attractive price. SPIRIT OF LIFE (6) returns from a 74-day break and may need the outing, but her better form suggests she has the ability to sneak into the Quartet if sufficiently forward in condition.
Our tip: 4-2-3-6
Race 4
Blue Hen Racing Syndicate Class 3
HERO’S JOURNEY (4) produced an excellent performance when finishing close behind highly regarded stablemate RICH MAN’S WORLD over 1250m on October 7. Vaughan Marshall’s progressive three-year-old now steps up to 1400m and carries just 54kg, giving him a strong chance against his older rivals. POMP IT UP (5) stayed on well to finish just over two lengths behind SOHO HEARTTHROB last time, and the form of that race has subsequently been franked. The drop in distance should suit his racing style, making him a serious danger. MENTE ET MANU (6) is a remarkably consistent performer who seldom runs a poor race. He could enjoy a relatively comfortable lead and must be respected at this level. BOOGIEFIED (1) returns from a 162-day absence and is better than his latest performance suggests. If fit enough to reproduce his best form, he can feature prominently in the finish.
Our tip: 4-5-6-1
Race 5
Perfectly Placed Class 4 (F & M)
SABRE WING (4) looks particularly well placed after producing an excellent performance behind OVER MY SHOULDER on October 4. She is highly regarded by her stable and has a favourable draw, giving her an outstanding opportunity to return to winning ways. SOUTH OF FRANCE (7) resumes after an 84-day break, having shown plenty of determination when defeating GIN PALACE on August 5. She should be competitive if sufficiently fit on her return and has definite place prospects. HAMPSTEAD HEATH (5) finished just two lengths behind DREAM SEARCHER on September 6 and has the ability to make her presence felt in this company. FIRST BLOOM (8) is an interesting contender after winning her maiden in good style on September 26. She remains relatively unexposed and carries a light weight, making her capable of further improvement against stronger opposition.
Our tip: 4-7-5-8
Race 6
Www.racecoast.co.za C Stakes
SOSSUSVLEI (1) made an impressive winning breakthrough at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on September 26, and the form of that maiden victory has been boosted by subsequent wins from BULLET TOOTH TONY and PREMIER WINTER. Rob Barrett’s promising three-year-old should appreciate the step up to 1600m and has an excellent chance of following up from a favourable draw. BOURBON KING (4) was disappointing on September 23, although he encountered trouble in running and is capable of considerably better. The blinkers have helped his form, and Andrew Fortune takes the ride over a suitable course and distance. CATCH ME (3) attracted strong market support before winning impressively on September 16. He looks progressive and has a neat draw from which to challenge. HAVOC (6) produced an excellent performance despite a difficult draw last time and should again be competitive for the minor placings.
Our tip: 1-4-3-6
Race 7
Lucky Fish Turf Luck D Stakes
WEHAVEASITUATION (6) has produced two encouraging performances in succession and should now be approaching peak fitness. She looks ready to win, provided the gaps appear at the right time in the straight. OLD HARRY ROCKS (3) returns from an 80-day break after winning his maiden impressively at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on August 9. He retains the blinkers and faces stronger opposition, but looks capable of competing for a place if ready to perform first-up. ELUSIVE GIFT (9) ran an excellent race behind DEVIL A SAINT on October 4 and has strong claims on that performance. The wide draw is an obvious concern, although she should be finishing strongly if able to secure a reasonable position. PACIFIC WATERS (1) has recently changed stables and has dropped in the ratings. The step up in distance could bring about significant improvement, particularly from a favourable inside draw.
Our tip: 6-3-9-1
Race 8
Hollywoodbets Bright Future Open Mdn
OCTOBER RUSH (5) looks ready to open his winning account after an excellent second behind LEGAL DANCER on September 26. That was his first start following a three-month break, and he should strip considerably fitter. The step up to 1600m looks ideal for Dean Kannemeyer’s well-bred three-year-old, who was also inconvenienced in running last time. GIMME MORE APACHE (1) returns from a 74-day absence after showing improvement behind BORN TO MASTER at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. The shorter distance is not ideal, but Richard Fourie takes the ride and he should be staying on strongly. THE MUFFIN MAN (4) has blinkers fitted and could improve over the longer trip, making him a definite place contender. PEACE SIGN (8) showed encouraging improvement when staying on behind REIGN MAN in KwaZulu-Natal. He retains the blinkers and looks capable of providing the biggest threat to OCTOBER RUSH.
Our tip: 5-1-4-8
