3 minute read
Dutch Philip is a confident choice for the Cape Of Good Hope Nursery at Kenilworth on Saturday – or at least he would be if the history of the race did not suggest that he is odds-on to get beaten.
The Somerset, which he won with such authority three weeks ago, is a notoriously unreliable guide. In the last 12 seasons only two of its winners have won the Cape Nursery and during that period only twice has the outright favourite for this proved successful. Indeed the starting price of the last two winners has averaged 10-1.
The race tends to be won by a forgettable horse – although subsequent Dubai scorer Diana’s Choice came out on top ten years ago and last year Sergeant Hardy came out on top – but, statistics apart, Dutch Philip has all the right credentials.
If he is to be beaten then Speedpoint looks the most likely to succeed. There was only half a length between them when they met over a furlong less at levels six weeks ago but it was the superior turn of foot of Aldo Domeyer’s mount that proved decisive and he looked as if he would confirm the placings over this trip.
Speedpoint missed the Somerset rematch because of a viral infection as did stable companion Morning Catch who, although well held on a line through Captain Ram, won his only start convincingly and in a manner that suggested he could come on quite considerably.
Virtue, stablemate of the favourite, won his only start and, although the form does not look anything special, it’s worth bearing in mind that the racecourse woke him up and revealed talent for perhaps the first time – Domeyer: “He is a lazy guy but I was absolutely cantering behind horses.”
Dollar Tractor produced a late surge to get up close home when starting favourite three weeks ago but he is going to have to produce further improvement to pose a threat. Badawee is the only non-winner in the field, and Supreme Orator cut him down mercilessly in the last 100m, while third-placed Ben-Hur did the form no favours last Sunday.
Zodiac Jack was beaten over four lengths when third in the Somerset and he is now 2kg worse with Dutch Philip who appears to have only history to beat.
Stable companion Magical Wonderland beat a strong field in the Perfect Promise and can stretch her unbeaten run to three in the Kenilworth Fillies Nursery.
