From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

Kenilworth is where the action is for horseplayers on Saturday, headlined by the G1 Cape Fillies Guineas, G3 Southern Cross Stakes and Summer Stayers.

Punters know that money won counts for the same whether it’s a prestigious feature or a humble race on the undercard. In that (hopeful) spirit let’s seek out four possible winning wagers across the ten -race program. The horses can be backed individually, hooked up in multiples or used as keys in the exotics.

Loving Prague appeals in Race 2, a Maiden over 1200m. The 3YO Prague colt went down after quite a tussle with Umzingeli Wenyathi, earning an excellent speed figure of 96. The winner was not disgraced on handicap follow up, and third horse Prairie Dawn caught the eye with a flashy finish midweek to give the form an even nicer sheen.

Andre Nel has given Loving Prague a month since that early- November exertion and if getting anywhere close to that mid 90’s number will be hard to beat.

The danger is red-hot trainer, Paddy Kruyer’s, Fast Train s/s 88, turning back to sprints, whilst Red Wave s/s 82 is a pace factor worthy of respect.

Justin Snaith has a firm grip on Race 4 with stylish last start Durbanville victor, Miami Summer s/s 96 + and Note to Self s/s 101.

The latter is preferred as he ran his big fig at Kenilworth in what could well turn into a key race ahead of the Cape Derby. On that occasion he closed ground over a mile to run near to Beware despite having to switch at a crucial stage.

Being by Futura he should appreciate nine panels – Keagan de Melo, back in town after running out of meaningful support in Hong Kong, is the jock.

Captain’s Alliance s/s 94, Spirit of Levana s/s 94 and Two a Penny s/s 93 can be used underneath in the single race exotics.

Maybe Snaith, who celebrated his 51st B’Day on Wednesday, can gift punters another winner in the tenth race. He saddles Pink Pigeon s/s 98 who has come back energized after a rest to hit numbers in the high 90’s which is plenty good enough to win a Class 4.

Admittedly carrying just 52.5 kg’s she only got mugged close to the line in the Laisserfaire, and faces nothing as fearsome this time around.

The 4yo Querari filly gets claim 4Kg apprentice Bungane who can point and steer her down the 1000m straight course from draw 2. If a strong south easter is blowing that may call for some scaling back of bets as horses down the inner get exposed and bear the brunt of the fierce wind. But on her best scores she appeals as the most likely winner in an open betting race.

Dame of Trix s/s 96 Sports Fan s/s 93 + Peace of Mind s/s 95 and Snaith companion, Clair de Lune s/s 94 are the principal dangers.

The fourth suggested tip is Act of Grace s/s 90 each way in Race 9. Glen Kotzen’s filly has been producing some nippy come-home sectional, without reward it must be acknowledged, since moving back to the Cape from KZN.

A tendency to be slow away and come from off the pace makes her a hostage to fortune – she is also drawn 8/10 in this 1400m event. But in Richard Fourie she has a world class hoop and the longer run in of the summer course gives her ample opportunity to run down the leaders.

Her (many) rivals are quite closely clustered in the mid to high 80’s; Beach Verse has already run s/s 91 so is the most dangerous though the weight turn around brings Act of Grace close to parity with her October nemesis.

Those are the four best opportunities on Saturday’s card, in my humble opinion.

As for the feature races, they are puzzling. Golden Palm is heavily favoured by the market for the Cape Fillies Guineas, but she must travel down from the Eastern Cape and go around a left- handed bend for the first time. Alan Greeff’s representative is clearly very talented but does not have a substantial edge on the figures (most rate in the high 90’s with potential to improve) and it may be prudent to cover her in exotic perms with several other bigger priced, contenders.

Princess of Gaul, Keukenhof, Stormwatch, Wish List and Reet Petite are viable alternatives to the chalk, and for very wide tickets, Call me Secret and Lowveld Lily can be added, too.

The Southern Cross Stakes is a brain teaser. Greeff also hold the key here with ante-post favourite, Direct Hit, who is a perfect five from five. She ran a 95 + on Fairview debut in January 2025, a rare feat for a baby, and has gone on from there to win the G1 Allan Robertson. She now takes on older fillies and mares who run scores of 102 or slightly better so it will take a career peak for her to see them off.

Legit dangers include the wonderful mare, Asiye Phambili s/s 104 when beating speedball, Candy Town s/s 100 in this race last year; the erratic but smart, Symphony in White best s/s 103 in the Umgeni and Roccapina s/s 103 behind Asiye Phambili in the Sceptre Stakes only to be suspended since for bleeding.

Green Diamond s/s 101, trained by Sean Tarry, is a zippy Highveld youngster with considerable scope worth keeping onside, too.