A word of caution regarding our filly Duchess of Malfi, which has most surprisingly been priced up favourite. She was battling to earn in the CT maidens, and our perception is that it’s a bit easier in KZN, and one of the partners lives in Durban so it seemed sensible to move her there. She has been in Durban since shortly after her last CT run. She pulled a decent draw soon after arriving but did not run as the trainer felt she needed a few more days to get over the traveling. Since then she has drawn in the bush on numerous occasions. She did crack a nice draw for a 1400m next week, but the trainer feels that trip too sharp. Personally, I’d rather run from draw 1 over 1400m than draw 11 over 1600m, but that’s his call. The fact that the stable has another filly in the 1400m race where Marcus called for the ride may well have been the deciding factor.
This race does not look the strongest lineup, although the Drier duo look ok and I would have expected one of them to be favourite. The Whitehead fillies look to have scope for improvement and must be respected.
Our filly was fit and well and improving slowly but surely when she left CT, and has had two grass gallops in Durban, so she should not lack fitness. However, she has only cantered on the Summerveld poly, so we don’t really know whether she will bring her grass form to the Greyville poly. She ran better in CT on good going and seemed to prefer the summer course with the long run in. The tight track and short run in on the Greyville poly worry me. I think that she may be a better proposition at Scottsville.
Having Kennedy riding is obviously a big plus as he is riding brilliantly.
We would be thrilled if she can win this but there are too many unknowns as well as the very wide draw, so I have more hope than confidence.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Dave Scott, Magi, KitKat, The Grey, Craig Pienaar, RB
Topic Author
