While there are no feature races at Kenilworth on Wednesday, there are a number of prominent horses making their seasonal debuts, clearly with some Graded race in mind.
The first is Golden Ducat, winner of the Grade 1 Champions Cup at over 1800m at Greyville in August. In a driving finish he got the better of stable companion and half-brother Rainbow Bridge by the narrowest of margins and now he will be preparing for races like the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and the Sun Met, both early next year.
The son of Philanthropist runs in Race 2, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m, after a 95-day absence. With a merit rating of 128, the Eric Sands-trained gelding is by far the best-weighted runner and is at least 8.5kg better handicapped based on merit ratings than any of his opposition.
On paper, it should be a doddle.
Donovan Dillon got the nod in the Champions Cup, and after a superb ride from this grossly underrated jockey, it is nice to see Sands has stuck with him.
Golden Ducat would have to be seriously underdone to lose this race as he is taking on generally B Division opposition. The only runner likely to offer any resistance is More Magic from the Candice Bass-Robinson yard.
Dennis Drier generally has a good run in the Western Cape and he sends out Grade 1 Gold Medallion winner Tempting Fate in Race 6, a Progress Plate over 1200m. He won that race with some authority, his third successive sprint victory.
He failed to stay when a two-length sixth in the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m but back to a sprint he will be hard to beat, despite a three-month break and the fact he is taking on older horses.