SOUTH AFRICA: Australia Day At Kenilworth

Winter racing in the Cape is a quiet time, with the top horses resting after the Durban season, but there were interesting performances at Kenilworth last weekend.

Some trainers and jockeys make use of this quiet time to take a break, yet others use this opportunity to step out some of their useful youngsters, giving them an easy start. Such was the case on Saturday, where four Australian imports won their respective races on the 10 race card.

The regally bred four-year-old Galileo daughter Rain Gal won most impressively over 1200m. It took her awhile to get going and the daughter of Raining (Hurricane Sky) came from a long way back in the field to win.

Rain Gal looks like she needs a lot more ground and with the infinite patience of trainer, Darryl Hodgson, she could well be a mare to follow as the distances increase.

Rain Gal is owned by prominent Cape Town owner and breeder Hassen Adams, and another of his imports won the very next race. This time it was the turn of the Danzero filly, Enrani, who lead from start to finish over 1200m. Out of Random Chance (Ahonoora) she shed her maiden tag in only her second start.

Dean Kannemeyer, known as the master of the Classics, stepped out Kingslayer. The handsome Rock Of Gibraltar colt won a maiden Plate over 1200m under a hands and heels ride by Karel Nesius.

Despite being outpaced early on Kingslayer swept through the field to win his first start by ¾ of a length and looks to have a touch of class. It would not surprise if he steps out for the classics next year. Out of La Zoffany(Zoffany) he is raced in partnership by Fieldspring Racing and Marcus Jooste.

Glen Kotzen, trainer of Super Seven, must be pleased that the son of Falvelon showed the hoped for improvement after gelding to win the final race over 1200m by a ¾ of a length. Owned by Rocket Man's owner Fred Crabbia, he looks like a horse that could possibly get 1600m. Super Seven is out of Sasaru Gamu (Bubble Gum Fellow) and was bred B Johnstone in Queensland.