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The record-breaking Horizon makes his long-awaited debut in the Racing Association Maiden Plate at Kenilworth on Wednesday and the bookmakers are taking no chances.

This colt smashed the South African auction record when knocked down to Mike Bass and top game breeder Piet du Toit for R5.2 million at the Convention Centre in January last year. He opened 4-1 second favourite with World Sports Betting on Monday and he was still that price yesterday.

Not that many horses in South Africa win first time and Candice Bass-Robinson says: “The trip will be a bit short for him [he is by Dynasty out of a full sister to Silvano] and he will be a bit green but he could surprise.”

Favourite, and shortening from 33-10 to 28-10, is the Justin Snaith-trained Captain Marmalade who has experience and form on his side. He gets the vote although it will be fascinating to see how Grant van Niekerk’s mount performs.

You could say that 6-1 chance Icon King has the best form of all but he has been off since running so well over 200m further on debut. “He was coughing after his first run and I decided against running him again last season - if he had won in July he would have got a rating of 88,” reasons Mike Stewart, “He might just need this but he is a really nice horse.”

Snaith, keen to ditch the word former from his champion trainer tag, goes into battle today holding many of the aces and he could well have a field day. Certainly the money has been talking with Dawn Rising in the first. The Trippi newcomer has been backed from 4-1 to 28-10 and that is significant.

The Bass-Robinson stable also introduces two well bred newcomers and R275 000 purchase War Of Roses has also been backed – from 8-1 to 6-1. “I think the Trippi filly (Magic Trick) will need it but the Var (War Of Roses) could possibly be in the money,” says their trainer.

The vote goes to Dawn Rising but Secretariat’s Girl is the one with the form in the book and she looks each way value at 11-2. An outsider to bear in mind at 14-1 is Helen’s Bay even though she is six years old and still a maiden after 14 attempts. She steps up to 1 200m after five consecutive runs over 1 000m.

“She doesn’t have the early speed she used to now that she is older but she is very well,” reports Mike Robinson’s wife Louella.

Cock-A-Hoop, backed from 4-1 to 28-10 yesterday, finished with only one behind him in the Langerman and on his previous start he was beaten at 1-3 but he has form smart enough to suggest he can account for Geoff Woodruff’s 7-2 shot New Caledonia in race two.

Punters nervous about getting their fingers burnt yet again by Glorious Goodwood can breathe easy. The three-year-old has been gelded and so misses race four but without his wedding tackle he could be a good thing next time. This time the Andrew Fortune-partnered Imperial Dancer makes most appeal ahead of Gold Standard, Come On Sonny and the first-time blinkered Hernando’s Promise.

Jingle Belle, disappointing over 2 400m last time, could be worth another chance over the mile of the Quinte Plus Maiden.

“Possibly she didn’t stay but she suffered a lot of interference that day,” says Andre Nel. “Her game is probably 1 800- 2000m but there isn’t a race for the next month and she is doing well enough to be competitive.”

Prince Of Wales (race six) looks another for Snaith and 35 minutes later 33-10 stable companion Azarenka has Nel’s 19-10 favourite Leisure Trip to beat.

Race preview for the meeting at Kenilworth-Old Course on Wednesday. Selections by Warren Lenferna.

1

Preview: SECRETARIAT’S GIRL showed last time that she was glad to be back in Cape Town. She ran a very good race and can improve from it – she is the firm first choice. Keep a close eye on the debutantes as there could be some good ones here! (Warren Lenferna 6-11-16)

2

Preview: NEW CALEDONIA is improving with each run and looks ready to score now – very hard to beat today! COCK-A-HOOP has disappointed in his last two but judging by his earlier efforts one can see he has some talent. HE can bounce back to near best. BLACK PARROT showed good improvement last time which is encouraging for more to come. (Warren Lenferna 1-5-9)

3

Preview: HORIZON cost a pretty package at the sales – R5 200 000 to be exact and he is beautifully bred. Hard to say how he will go on debut not knowing anything besides the cost of the horse and the breeding but keep an eye on the betting – if there is market support then follow! CAPTAIN MARMALADE is doing okay and is worth including and ICON KING returns from a long rest and can go very close if not in too much need of this run. (Warren Lenferna 8-2-9)

4

Preview: COME ON SONNY showed good improvement in his second start and he more than likely has a lot more improvement to offer especially over the mile. He is the confident first choice. GOLD STANDARD is the biggest danger – his debut was excellent and trainer Glen Kotzen has wasted no time in going the extra distance which should certainly be what he is looking for. GLORIOUS GOODWOOD was given every chance last time and ran second – he is a must for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 8-9-3)

5

Preview: CALL ME DARLING is taking some time to win but she is certainly showing all the right signs of winning soon. PUT THE BERRIES is seldom far off and her chances look very bright here. CAUTIONTOTHEWIND was staying on last time and her overall form is good enough to warrant inclusion in the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 5-4-3)

6

Preview: FRIENDLY TIBBS has won his last two impressively – I can see no reason why he cannot reel off three in a row. WAITING FOR RAIN has solid form and should be right there at the finish chasing his stable mate home. SOALR NIGHT with a good draw and a light weight should be included in the quartet. (Warren Lenferna 5-3-7)

7

Preview: Stable mates SUN AT MIDNIGHT and CAPTAIN’S DOVE look set to fight this race out – trainer Michael Robinson has his string in fine form and are always worth following but I am leaning towards Sun At Midnight to cross the line first and Captain’s Dove to fill the exacta position. LEISURE TRIP has good form and now returns to Cape Town where she started her racing career off – massive runner here. (Warren Lenferna 3-4-2)

8

Preview: SMOKEY AFFAIR won at only the second time of asking and won well she did! She is returning from a short rest but does look to have ability and is selected to make a winning comeback. FLYING MONARCH and KWANDO have place chances. (Warren Lenferna 1-6-7)

9

Preview: JUST LIKE MAGIC is making his stable and Province debut. His last run was against stronger in KZN and he is way better than that run suggests. He is returning from a rest but on best form (he beat Ten Gun Salute) has to be given a very bright winning chance. BANDEROS never misses a place and the same should apply today. GOLDEN PEG is way better than his last run and it would be silly to dismiss his chances. (Warren Lenferna 1-4-2)