14:00 Kenilworth

Saturday 21 January 2023

All10:3011:0511:4012:1512:5013:2514:0014:35

Politician Stakes (Grade 3) (3 Year-Olds - Derby Trial)

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 1m 52.58s

(1)

Blackberry Malt¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: S Khumalo| T: Glen Kotzen

9/1

Winner at Scottsville in July. 9/2, creditable third of 12 in handicap at this course (8f, good) 14 days ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 61273-3

(2)

Dowser^b1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: M Yeni| T: Glen Kotzen

50/1

Winner at Greyville in July. 14/1, seventh of 9 in minor event at this course (8f, good) 21 days ago. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 145077-

(3)

Scalini¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: C Orffer| T: Vaughan Marshall| C

22/1

Course winner. Two wins from 6 runs last year. 10/1, respectable 3¾ lengths fifth of 9 to Without Question in minor event at this course (8f, good) 18 days ago. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 41341-5

(4)

Without Question¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: J V'd Merwe| T: Justin Snaith| C

25/1

Didn't need to improve to win 9-runner minor event at this course (8f, good, 20/1) 18 days ago.

Form: 25156-1

(5)

Famous And Rich³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Ashton Arries| T: Glen Kotzen| D

80/1

Two wins from 6 runs last year. Latest win at Greyville in August. 125/1, well-beaten fourteenth of 15 to Charles Dickens in Gr 1 at this course (8f, good) 35 days ago. Has work to do.

Form: 211200-

(7)

Narina Trogon¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: G Wright| T: Candice Bass-Robinson| C

18/1

Course winner. Creditable 1¾ lengths third of 9 to Without Question in minor event (10/1) at this course (8f, good) 18 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 1756-3

(8)

Grinkov³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Luyolo Mxothwa| T: Glen Kotzen| C

14/1

Three wins from 8 runs last year. Tongue strap on for 1st time, career best when winning 8-runner handicap (13/2) at this course (8f, good) 35 days ago.

Form: 107601-

(9)

Innamorare⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Grant Van Niekerk| T: Justin Snaith| C

17/2

Three wins from 6 runs last year. 3/1, career best when winning 13-runner handicap at this course (8f, good) 66 days ago by neck from Street Art. Uphill task.

Form: 221211-

(10)

Rockpool⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: R Fourie| T: Justin Snaith| C

11/4

Two wins from 5 runs last year. Career best when winning 8-runner minor event at this course (8f, good, 5/2) 45 days ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 62211-

(11)

At My Command³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: K De Melo| T: Brett Crawford| C

1/1

Course winner. Three wins from 8 runs last year. Latest win at Durbanville in September. 10/1, creditable 4¼ lengths third of 15 to Charles Dickens in Gr 1 at this course (8f, good) 35 days ago.

Form: 141223-

Non-Runners

(6)

Street Art²¹

Weight: 8-7| Age: 4

T: Peter Muscutt J: S Veale

Forecasts

At My Command (1/1), Rockpool (11/4), Innamorare (17/2), Blackberry Malt (9/1), Grinkov (14/1), Street Art (14/1), Narina Trogon (18/1), Scalini (22/1), Without Question (25/1), Dowser (50/1), Famous And Rich (80/1)

ROCKPOOL showed much improved form last time and has chief claims. Blackberry Malt seems best of the remainder, while At My Command deserves some consideration too.