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Smokey Affair stands out at Kenilworth on Saturday because she has the proverbial stone in hand in the R91,000, Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap.co.za Handicap (1400m).

The Mike Robinson-trained filly was a four-length sixth of 15 to Just Sensual in the Cape Fillies Guineas – and there was no fluke about it because she had previously finished a creditable fourth in the Choice Carriers – yet she is still on the same 86 handicap mark. Had she finished half a length closer she would have been fifth and the handicappers would have been free to up her rating to around 99.

Over this trip the 13 points she has in hand represent more than five lengths! Of course, it’s seldom as simple or as foolproof as this and the big negative is that she has not raced in the intervening 14 weeks.

“She had a nasty cough and a snotty nose,” recalls Robinson’s wife Louella. “We also felt that we needed to get a bit more condition on her so we gave her a break. She has come back well and her work is phenomenal.”

The next best on the card could well prove to be Sister Soozie in the Place Your Bets Maiden. The Andre Nel filly started second favourite for a mile maiden last month but had a bad draw and was among the backmarkers until well into the straight. She finished strongly but she had too much to do.

The extra two furlongs here will be much in her favour and should enable Grant van Niekerk to christen his association with Plattner Racing. Janice’s Secret is similarly lightly-raced and rates the main danger.

The opening R80,000, Juvenile Fillies (1200m) looks between Believethisbeauty, Rose In Bloom and Casual Diamond assuming that Joey Ramsden adopts his usual patient introduction with R4.5 million newcomer Dynasty’s Blossom.

You could argue that Rose In Bloom’s form is marginally the best – and she is the choice of the sahorseracing computer – but Vaughan Marshall spoke highly of his charge last month (“talented, shows a lot of speed”) and there was plenty of money for her. She gets the vote.

The computer goes for Gadget Man 35 minutes later but he disappointed last time as did Come On Sonny whereas Risky Rambo showed significant improvement. He looks the part.

Justin Snaith, who introduces the Dynasty gelding C’Est La Vie here, may win race three with Dawn Rising who finished well to get second last time on her first run for four months and had Waterbaby a length back fourth.