Jack Milner: If jockey Warren Kennedy has plans to regain the Champion Jockey’s title this season he could not have found a better meeting to get his task under way.
Kennedy has teamed up with trainer Gavin Smith and his stable is currently in cracking form. In fact, Kennedy has a full card of rides all for Smith on Wednesday – and all of them have strong winning claims.
Perhaps the best of the bunch could come up in Race 2, a Maiden Plate over 1600m on the Polytrack, where he rides Lord Marmite. This four-year-old Querari gelding has been racing in the Western Cape for Glen Kotzen but although he placed in four of nine starts in the province, has not been able to chalk up a win.
Kotzen brought Lord Marmite to Fairview at the end of last month and raced him over 1400m on the turf where he ran on well to finish a 0.75-length second behind Cleto.
The decision was clearly made to keep him in the Eastern Cape which resulted in the move to Smith. This will be his first start on the Polytrack but Smith will have tested him on the surface. The extra 200m should also be in Lord Marmite’s favour.
Kennedy also has a strong chance to ride the second Jackpot as he has excellent opportunities in all four races.
Ancient Times has the best form in Race 5, while Afternoon Tea in Race 6 made a winning debut in Port Elizabeth last time over 1200m on the turf. She can only improve, and is the runner to beat if she takes to the Polytrack.
Atkinson Grimshaw is the in-form runner in Race 7 while Kennedy’s mount in Race 8, Radiant Love, should fight it out with Curious. Take Swingers and Exactas.