All Eyes on Double Superlative

Jack Milner

A waterlogged course brought a premature end to the race meeting at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last week and further inclement weather saw Tuesday’s meeting in the western Cape being postponed until Wednesday.

A number of the runners due to race last week but missed out on the opportunity are carded to race again and heading that list is 2021 Grade 1 Cape Guineas winner Double Superlative.  

Double Superlative has not won a race since capturing the 2021 Cape Guineas but in fairness, we have not seen that much of him. He only raced three times in 2022, finishing fourth behind Kommetdieding in the Cape Met, third to stablemate Pomp And Power in the Cape Derby and then a 1.75-length fifth to Zapatillas in the Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

He has not raced for 493 days but is carded to make his seasonal appearance in Race 8, a Progress Plate over 1250m.

One does not know what to expect and neither does trainer Justin Snaith, he commented in ComputaForm that his charge was being prepared for the Cape Season “but he’s doing great at home”.

While this is likely to be too sharp, it is not wise to write off champions and it would come as no surprise were he to fly up and win. Grant van Niekerk takes the ride.

King Regent won his first two races when making his debut at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in October last year and both of those victories were over 1200m. Glen Kotzen’s runner has been campaigning over further since then but has failed to win, although he has placed in all but one of his races.

He comes back in distance to 1250m and although he has not raced since 5 July when touched off by Somerset Maugham over 1600m, King Regent could enjoy the drop in trip and could be the runner to beat.

Raymond Danielson takes the ride and they will jump from barrier No 4.    

Yamadori looks above average and the Lancaster Bomber colt is one of the better bets on the card and should win Race 9, a Class 5 Handicap over 1250m.

He confirmed the promise of his debut second by winning his second start before finishing second over this course and distance last time out. He was drawn wide in that last race but this time he has the benefit of jumping from pole position.

Any improvement made on his comeback ought to bring about a return to winning ways.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 13 Maneki Neko, 2 The Grey King, 7 Guarding The Wall, 4 Sail The Sky

Race 2: 1 Tenango, 2 Nordic Chief, 9 Lindbergh, 14 Kaapse Klopse

Race 3: 1 Glee Club, 5 Gimmethelimelight, 4 Pinstripe, 3 Time For Love

Race 4: 2 Greenland, 1 Diamond Rock, 4 Naushon, 9 Makhachev

Race 5: 7 Two A Penny, 1 Lickety Split, 2 Green Isle, 9 Coulditbe

Race 6: 7 Tothemoonandback, 2 Mister Monocle, 5 Rule Of Thumb, 1 Bardolino

Race 7: 8 Future Variety, 12 Teflon Man, 3 Bluff On Bluff, 9 Ravensthorpe

Race 8: 4 King Regent, 5 Double Superlative, 6 Happy Chance, 8 Gimme's Lassie

Race 9: 1 Yamadori, 3 Masked Vigilante, 11 Easy Money, 9 Seeking Peace

Race 10: 2 Mia's Harper, 1 Oni San, 11 Double Dream, 6 Where's The Party

BEST BET

Race 9 No 1 Yamadori           

VALUE BET

Race 10 No 2 Mia’s Harper

BEST SWINGER

Race 9 1x3

BIPOT

R432

Leg 1: 1, 2, 9

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5

Leg 3: 1, 2, 4

Leg 4: 1, 7

Leg 5: 2, 5, 7

Leg 6: 8, 12

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R324

Leg 1: 1, 4, 5

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4

Leg 3: 1, 7

Leg 4: 2, 5, 7

Leg 5: 8, 12

Leg 6: 4, 5, 6

Leg 7: 1

PICK 6

R1792

Leg 1: 1, 2, 4, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 7, 9

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 13

Leg 4: 3, 8, 9, 12

Leg 5: 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 6: 1

JACKPOT 1

R448

Leg 1: 1, 2, 7, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 13

Leg 3: 3, 8, 9, 12

Leg 4: 4, 5, 6, 8

JACKPOT 2

R80

Leg 1: 3, 8, 9, 12

Leg 2: 4, 5, 6, 8

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 1, 2, 6, 9, 11