whipping boy
One of my favourite movies is Forrest Gump, the story of a fool who couldn’t lose. And anyone foolish enough to take the advice of this column last week will know the feeling.
Having always been aware that boastfulness is evidence of a flawed character, especially in tipsters, I desisted after casually pointing out 66-1 shot Bunter Barlow for the J&B Met in my debut column in February, as I have desisted after offering several cleverly analysed winners over the months.
But I am compelled, for the record, to make mention of the nine animals I predicted would be unsaddled in the winners’ enclosure last week an 82% strike rate from 11 tips.
At Clairwood Park on Saturday Beach Patrol, Best To Go West, Imperial Triumph and Celtic Grove all arrived as promised, only Thatch Attack finishing third after proving in need of a run, as it was suspected she might.
At Turffontein we got a full house with First Draw, Tidal Wave, Double Deception and Climbing Rose. At Kenilworth on Sunday Little Dixie confirmed a nagging suspicion that she might prefer doing her racing at Durbanville. She finished unplaced but Century City, at a handsome 6-1, put the cherry on the top of a good weekend at the tracks.
To be a winner this weekend, read on.
July fever is mounting and six runners get a last chance to force their way into the final field in the R100 000 Grade 3 Cup Trial at Clairwood on Saturday. The top three in the weights, Bunter Barlow, Ingleside and Trademark, appear to have sealed their places for the big race, but they could face stiff opposition from a few desperados.
Danzenita, with Jeff Lloyd in the saddle, isn’t even entered for the July but could blow the more fancied types away. He had solid form in good company in Cape Town before a lay-off and a return to Durban. In his only start since, also with Lloyd up, he found some support to jump at 5-1 but spoilt his chances by running wide around the Scottsville turn.
Besides the topweights, look to The Deceiver and Jubilee Express to give Danzenita most to do.
In race seven, an allowance plate for fillies and mares, Mike De Kock’s Carolina Cherry has her fourth run in just five weeks. On the evidence of her last start, a fast-finishing one-length second to champion filly Hoeberg, she looks unbeatable. De Kock could clinch second spot, too, with To The Tops, who had good form before a five-month rest.
Still six weeks shy of his third birthday, Connel Blue in race eight has a strong chance of showing up his elders. The grey son of Kilconnel has shown consistent form in his five outings against a few good sorts and may have the edge on the likes of Fashion Editor, Blushing Ninja, Refuse To Retreat, Battle Cry, Cavendish and Kefaa’s Fate.
Dance Diva looks good in the fourth, first leg of the pick six, after finishing runner up on a promising debut.
Turffontein: Cerulean (race 5); Kumba Mela (race 6); Bellocq (race 8).
Kenilworth: National Vixen (race 3).
Bloemfontein: Dickson (race 1); Hospitable (race 6).