13:35 Kenilworth

Saturday 15 February 2025

All10:0510:4011:1511:5012:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

Paarl Diamant A Stakes

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 2m 0.05s

(1)

Holding Thumbs⁴²

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

11/8

Course winner. Four wins from 12 runs last year. Respectable 1¾ lengths second of 11 to King Pelles in Gr 3 (28/10) at this course (12.4f, good to soft) 42 days ago. Back down in trip.

Form: 61631-2

(2)

Without Question⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: R Fourie| T: Justin Snaith| C

3/1

Course winner. Eleven runs since last win in 2023. 6¼ lengths eleventh of 13 to Rascallion in Gr 2 at this course (9f, good to soft, 10/1) 42 days ago. Difficult ask.

Form: 37744-0

(3)

Call To Unite²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Craig Bantam| T: Justin Snaith| D

7/1

Latest win at Durbanville in September. 9/2, last of 8 in handicap at this course (8f, good) 28 days ago. Back up in trip. Not taken lightly.

Form: 41144-8

(5)

Nebraas^b⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Craig Zackey| T: Sean Tarry| OR: 84| D

22/1

Twenty runs since last win in 2023. 66/1, 8¾ lengths ninth of 11 to King Pelles in Gr 3 at this course (12.4f, good to soft) 42 days ago. Down in trip. Has work to do.

Form: 08566-9

(6)

Baratheon²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Luyolo Mxothwa| T: Piet Botha| C| D

5/1

Course winner. Latest win at Durbanville in October. Respectable 2¾ lengths seventh of 13 to Rascallion in Gr 2 at this course (9f, good to soft, 100/1) 42 days ago.

Form: 1186-70

(8)

Blackberry Malt^b²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Ashton Arries| T: Glen Kotzen| OR: 94

8/1

Latest win at Greyville in September. Bit below form fifth of 10 in minor event (5/2) at Fairview (9.4f) 50 days ago. Expected to be bang there.

Form: 21275-8

(9)

Navy Strength⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: J V'd Merwe| T: Justin Snaith| CD

10/1

5-time course winner. Latest win here in November. 14/1, 20½ lengths last of 11 to King Pelles in Gr 3 at this course (12.4f, good to soft) 42 days ago. Back down in trip. Others more persuasive.

Form: 54313-0

Non-Runners

(4)

Otto Luyken²¹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: Brett/jame Crawford J: G Wright

(7)

The Futurist²¹

Weight: 9-3| Age: 6

T: Brett/jame Crawford J: Mpumelelo Mjoka

Forecasts

Holding Thumbs (11/8), Without Question (3/1), Baratheon (5/1), Otto Luyken (6/1), Call To Unite (7/1), The Futurist (7/1), Blackberry Malt (8/1), Navy Strength (10/1), Nebraas (22/1)

BLACKBERRY MALT looks to have just about the best credentials but has little room for error. Holding Thumbs can also take a hand, while Baratheon also commands a closer look.