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All eyes on Lanark at Kenilworth

3 minute read

Andre Nel has his first two-year-old runner of the season in the Fillies Maiden Juvenile at Kenilworth on Wednesday and, given all his first-timer success with three-year-olds, there is going to be a lot of interest in Lanark.

The grey is a daughter of Sail From Seattle and her trainer admits that, to some extent at least, he is in the dark.

“We generally don’t run two-year-olds but she is precocious and needs to run,” he says. “She has only had one grass gallop and we have left a fair bit to work with. She is running without much pressure and she will give us a guide as to where we stand with our other juveniles.”

She has already been backed from 7-2 to 28-10 with World Sports Betting while Sassy Lady has drifted from 5-2 to 5-1. This is the form horse and gets a tentative vote although Lanark seems sure to get into the shake-up and there has been significant support for fellow newcomers Ballroom Dance and Freedom Charter.

Time To Think has gone close in her last two starts and is having her third run after a rest in the Tabonline.co.za Maiden. Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s mount is even money favourite and she is preferred to both the consistent Miss D’Aray (2-1) and her own stable companion Tiffindell who is a 3-1 chance.

The early money in race three – a 1 200m maiden – has been for the Vaughan Marshall newcomer Captain Falcon. Backed from 4-1 to 5-2 favourite the Captain Al colt cost R500 000 and is a full or half-brother to a string of useful winners. Given the market support, he looks the one.

He is taking on three of his own age and seven older horses but this is the time of year when the two-year-olds start to prove the better in maidens like this one. The Barry Burn (4-1) is also a juvenile and raced green when sixth to the smart Silver Coin on debut.

Of the others the one that makes most appeal is Lauren Of Rochelle who ran on strongly, but too late, when a quarter-length third to Power Shift three weeks ago. At 6-1 you can take out insurance by backing him each way if you don’t like the idea of an unraced favourite.

Shall Be Free is 5-2 to resume winning ways in the 1 400m handicap (race six) but this is an open race and Line Break could be worth a few rand at 5-1 with Candice Bass-Robinson and Aldo Domeyer in such form.

Strictly on the book he might not confirm last time’s Pinnacle placings with Purple Mountains who was hampered and is a huge price at 10-1. However Glen Puller is taking the blinkers off after three races with them on.

Preview and form for the meeting at Kemilworth on Wednesday. Selections by Warren Lenferna

Race 1

Preview: SASSY LADY showed huge improvement in her second start and if she shows the same improvement again she should be tough to beat in what does not look like a tough field baring the unknown unraced runners. ABOVE ELEVEN can improve on her fair debut and BALLROOM DANCE comes from a stable that is doing well with their juveniles – watch the betting and the first timer comments. (Warren Lenferna 9-1-2)

Race 2

Preview: MISS D ARAY is knocking hard at the door and now looks ready to win. She seems to go well over either the 1400 or mile. TIME TO THINK is consistent and went very close to winning last time. She seems to get going when the race is over but this is her peak run and she should once again be right there. TIFFINDELL always has a place chance. (Warren Lenferna 2-1-3)

Race 3

Preview: The word was out when THE BARRY BURN was making his debut that he is a very nice horse but is one to follow for the future. He is a son of Dynasty and ran very well on debut despite racing green (which was expected) He finished sixth only three lengths off the winner and has tons of scope to improve. If he does not need one more run to sharpen up, he will be very hard to beat here. LAUREN OF ROCHELLE is taking time to win but now tries blinkers – this could do the trick but THE BARRY BURN certainly has more scope to improve than he does. SHADOW WARRIOR made a fair debut and can improve to get much closer.

Race 4

Preview: TWO BROTHERS has raced only three times and placed in two of those starts. He can be considered a touch unlucky last time as he was running on well and had to shift twice which no doubt in my mind cost him getting much closer, if not winning the race. Nevertheless he is coming along the right way and if overcoming his bad draw, can go very close to winning. NORDIC CHANT now gets the services of the stable jockey and he should be right there at the finish – his last run was an improved one. HERO QUEST must be included in the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 5-11-8)

Race 5

Preview: BLACK CAT BACK moved up well last time but found no more in the closing stages – he takes a drop in distance today and a good run can be expected. ZEB is bidding for the hat trick and if he achieved it, it would come as no shock at all – he has a big chance. RIVER CAM ran well last time, first time out the maidens and can be followed with some degree of confidence. (Warren Lenferna 1-3-7)

Race 6

Preview: AFRIKABURN is returning from a short rest but he was in good form before that – if he is fit and well he should take a power of beating – he has tons of ability. CATKIN ran on well last time and is one for the shortlist. SHALL BE FREE doesn’t know how to run a bad race and with a light weight should be in the firing line once again. (Warren Lenferna 1-2-6)

Race 7

Preview: QUICKFIRE is lightly raced and seems to have ability – he was staying on well last time when second best behind Zeb (who runs earlier today) His only win was recorded over the 1200m trip which he reverts to today and is the confident first choice selection. WINTER TRADE showed last time that he is back in form and if he confirms that improvement should run well again. GREENFLASHSUNSET is beautifully bred and is surely better than his last run suggests – he more than likely needed that run and a much better effort can be expected today – big runner. (Warren Lenferna 2-5-3)

Race 8

Preview: CAPTAIN’S DOVE is very consistent and should go close to winning this race. VARIFAST is in good form and went close to winning last time – the weight off her back will once again help and she can contest the finish. SECRETARIAT’S GIRL raced handy throughout the race last time and managed to hang on for fourth – she will have a money chance again with weight off her back and is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 2-8-12)
Thoroughbred News

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