US Of A to invade Durbanville

Danie Toerien

The highlight of Tuesday’s race meeting at Hollywoodbets Durbanville is the last race on the card, where eight runners are carded to contest an A Stakes sprint over 1 250m.

A very strong case can be made for the majority of the field, so this should be a real humdinger.

Four of the runners – The US Of A (second), Dumbledore (third), King Regent (fourth), and Dance Variety (eighth) recently locked horns in the Grade 3 Champagne Stakes over 1 200m at Kenilworth. They were separated by less 3.75-lengths.

More recently, King Regent (second), The US Of A (third), and Dumbledore (fourth) clashed in the Winter Sprint again over 1 200m at Kenilworth. Again, these three were separated by just 3.75-lengths.

These results confirm that there is very little to choose between them and they should all make a bold bid again.

But it doesn’t end there.

Both Gold Giboski and Absolutely Yes have also gotten the better of The US Of A earlier this year, so there is very little to choose between them.

Bettors should also beware of Beware. This son of Rafeef is highly regarded and comes into the race after a break during which he was gelded.

The US Of A gets the nod due to a couple of reasons. Firstly, he has regular rider Richard Fourie in the irons. After Fourie’s victory in the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday, he must be brimming with confidence. Secondly, The US Of A will be having his third run after a rest.

Considering that he may have needed his run in the Winter Sprint, he has a big winning chance from a good draw.

Gold Giboski, however, will be carrying no weight today, and will also be having a peak outing.

Earlier on the card, Liefling looks a banker proposition in Race 4, a Maiden Plate over 1 800m.

This three-year-old daughter of Hawwaam has improved dramatically in her last two outings and should relish the extra distance here.

She is overdue a first career win after a third and second place finish respectively in her last two runs where she had no luck in running.

Despite a wide draw, she looks the one to beat with Callan Murray aboard.

Selections:

Race 1: 2 Onthewingsofadove, 12 Bursturbubble, 1 World Of Secrets, 8 Viridian Ruby

Race 2: 2 Mordechai, 6 California Cat, 1 Edictal Citation, 5 Cracker

Race 3: 2 Spanish World, 6 Odds And Evens, 5 Ntibindi, 3 Pink Blossom

Race 4: 8 Liefling, 3 Frequent Traveller, 10 Sparkling Sky, 1 Up In Flames

Race 5: 6 The Big Bang, 5 Protector Of Peace, 9 Montessori, 2 Pure As Snow

Race 6: 4 Superhero, 7 Midway, 1 Devil A Saint, 3 Red Dawn

Race 7: 6 One Magic, 5 October Fest, 4 Avignon, 3 Prince Of Tibet

Race 8: 4 The Us Of A, 2 King Regent, 5 Gold Giboski, 3 Beware

Pick 6 (R432)

Leg 1: 2, 5, 6

Leg 2: 8

Leg 3: 5, 6, 9

Leg 4: 4, 7

Leg 5: 4, 5, 6

Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8