We have three debutantes and a barrier trialist to look out for this this weekend. Starting on Saturday at Kenilworth Racecourse, Maitland Magic (pictured as a yearling) steps out in the first race for his debut, for the Brett Crawford stable. On the same day, Afriel and Happy Together have their first outing in the second race at the Vaal. Lastly, Cher Ami who is a big son of Var, has a barrier trial to get him going down on the Hollywoodbets Greyville Turf. See more about their chances here.
Saturday 9th November 2019
Kenilworth Racecourse
Race 1 – 12:45
1200m – Maiden Plate
10 – Maitland Magic
Trainer: Brett Crawford
Jockey: Corne Orffer
Wgt: 59.0kg
Draw: 5 (13 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 5/1
He has come through a condition he had with his back earlier on in the year, which set him back by a few months. Since then, his work has been very encouraging and he showed a lot of promise in his grass gallop a few weeks back. The stable is on fire at the moment, but Brett Crawford expects that he will need the run and he will also be quite green, as most Silvano’s are on debut. This will be a great experience for him and the run should bring him on a lot.
Saturday 9th November 2019
Vaal Turf Club
Race 2 – 12:30
1000m – Maiden Plate (Fillies)
8 – Afriel
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Piere Strydom
Wgt: 59.0kg
Draw: 12 (20 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 12/1
She has shown a lot at home and the stable are confident of a big showing on debut. She shouldn’t need the run too much, but greenness in such a big field could be a factor. Piere Strydom takes the mount and if she brings to the course what she has shown at home, she’ll be involved in the finish.
14 – Happy Together
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Cole Dicken (-4kg)
Wgt: 59.0kg
Draw: 7 (20 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 16/1
This Querari filly has plenty of speed and is likely to be handy in the early parts of her run. She too has been showing some decent work at home and with the 4kg claimer up, she shouldn’t be too far off the stable companion and we expect a top half finish.
Sunday 10th November 2019
Hollywoodbets Greyville Turf
Race 11 – 12:05 (Barrier Trial)
1000m – Barrier Trial
1 – Cher Ami
Trainer: Kom Naidoo
Jockey: Xola Jacobs (-4kg)
Wgt: 59.0kg
Draw: 4 (10 Runners)
He is a big imposing son of Var, out of a Fort Wood mare who went over a bit of ground. As such, we always expected that he would need a mile plus so he should find it difficult to go with them, if the pace is on. We have planned to enter him into a 1400m on debut, so this sprint up on the Hollywood Greyville Turf should bring him on nicely.