JACK MILNER: A FULL field of fillies and mares lines up at Kenilworth on Saturday for the Grade 3 Final Fling Stakes over 1800m at Kenilworth and this is a tough race, indeed. Pick 6 punters have a slight advantage as there are a number of couplings to help them.
Trainer Glen Kotzen holds a strong hand with four horses – Platinum Cat, Mary Hinge, Cash Register and Golden Dawn – and Cash Register looks the best of the quartet. The only question is whether she will see out 1800m. The four-year-old daughter of Casey Tibbs has won her last two starts but those were over 1400m and 1600m. Her last victory was in similar company, the Listed Ladies Mile.
The one indication that she will see out 1800m comes in her ante-penultimate start which was over 2000m in yielding going. Cash Register was always up with the pace and only faded late to finish a 3.05-length third behind Feel My Love. That run came after a layoff so she will be a lot fitter now.
Cash Register is well drawn at six and will be ridden by Grant van Niekerk who was aboard her in her last two victories.
Mystery Dame finished third behind Cash Register last time but is now 2kg better off and that should see Andries Steyn’s runner finish a lot closer. However, she is almost eight years old now and this could well be her final fling. Fareed Anthony rides.
Platinum Cat has twice finished behind Cash Register and last time was weighted to turn the tables. Unfortunately for her supporters she failed dismally but was reported as “not striding behind’’. She has another 4kg pull on her stablemate this time and if fit and well must have a decent winning chance.
Justin Snaith saddles two runners in Rush For John and Alvilda and it is the former who looks to have a slight edge as she is drawn No 10 while jockey Anton Marcus will have his work cut out to get Alvilda over from barrier No 15 if both reserve runners come out.
