Jack Milner
There are times when racing mimics reality and that could well be the case at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday.
The second tennis Grade Slam of the season takes place in France and there will be a touch of tennis in the Cape when Roland Garros runs in Race 1 and Swiatek in Race 5.
Roland Garros is the name of the Paris tennis stadium where the French Open is played and Iga Swiatek is the fifth seed this year in the women’s draw.
The name Roland Garros has nothing to do with tennis actually but is the nae of a French World War 1 pilot.
Polish player Swiatek has been having a tough time this year but comes into this year’s tournament as a four-time French Open singles champion, including the last three.
As far as the two horses are concerned, Roland Garros will line up in Race 1, a Juvenile Plate over 1500m.
The two-year-old son of Vercingetorix out of the mare Amy Johnson (herself a famous flyer and thus the connection to Roland Garros) has only raced twice, finishing a 4.40-length seventh on debut on then winning a race over 1400m at Kenilworth.
Based on the manner in which this colt finished last time, he will benefit from the additional 100m this time.
Swiatek caused an upset when winning on debut and then finished second three times in a row. After an unplaced fifth run she was given an 80-day break and ran well enough on come back when finishing 2.90 lengths behind My Only Weakness from a wide draw.
Swiatek contests Race 5, a Class 4 Handicap over 1400m, and looks ready to get back in the winners’ enclosure.
Both horses are trained by Justin Snaith, will be ridden by Richard Fourie, and will jump from gate No 2.
The Listed Somerset 1200 for juveniles is the main event on the card and another Snaith-trained runner, Absolutely Yes, could come out on top. However, although also drawn in gate No 2 JP van der Merwe will be aboard.
Well-related Danon Platina gelding Absolutely Yes showed promise from Day 1, winning on debut over 1000m under Van der Merwe. Snaith's charge bounced back from a disappointing subsequent start last time out, returning from a rest and gelding operation, to finish a staying-on second to Dreamworld in the Listed Winter Nursery over 1100m under Muzi Yeni.
Absolutely Yes would have tightened up with the benefit of that outing and should improve for the step up to 1200 in Race 7.
Jack Milner
Race 1: 3 Roland Garros, 1 All The Rage, 4 Randolph Hearst, 2 Sierra Sagrada
Race 2: 3 Gimmethatpearl, 5 Kamchatka, 6 My Only Weakness, 4 Russian Royal
Race 3: 3 Song To The Moon, 4 Dubbelosix, 1 We Have Touchdown, 5 Pinot Grigio
Race 4: 2 Past And Present, 9 Real Stunner, 1 Ariovistus, 3 Beautiful Side
Race 5: 2 Swiatek, 4 Kamakazi, 1 La Divina, 3 Oni San
Race 6: 7 King's Quest, 1 Trippi's Silk, 3 Rhydian, 2 Arbitration
Race 7: 2 Absolutely Yes, 7 Churchillian, 6 She's My World, 5 Three Tigers
Race 8: 5 Circumbendibus, 13 Dive Bomber, 14 Escarpment, 2 Worldly
Race 9: 9 Electromagnetism, 3 Becky Sharp, 15 Music Of The Night, 16 Golden Ideal
Race 10: 4 Major Master, 11 Chasingtherainbow, 1 Hoodia, 3 Congressman
BEST BET
Race 7: 2 Absolutely Yes
VALUE BET
Race 1: 3 Roland Garros
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 3x5
BIPOT
R216
Leg 1: 3, 5, 6
Leg 2: 3, 4
Leg 3: 1, 2, 9
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 7
Leg 6: 2
PLACE ACCUMULATOR
R288
Leg 1: 3, 4
Leg 2: 2, 9
Leg 3: 1, 2, 4
Leg 4: 1, 3, 7
Leg 5: 2
Leg 6: 5, 13
Leg 7: 3, 9, 15, 16
PICK 6
R1200
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 9
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7
Leg 4: 2
Leg 5: 5, 13, 14
Leg 6: 3, 9, 10, 15, 16
JACKPOT 1
R60
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 4
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7
Leg 3: 2
Leg 4: 5, 13, 14
JACKPOT 2
R75
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 5, 13, 14
Leg 3: 3, 9, 10, 15, 16
Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 7, 11