North Point to show the way

EXPECT the pace to be blistering in race 2 over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville today.

- ALISTAIR COHEN

(Race Coast/ Chase Liebenberg)

Some of the quickest in Cape Town will test their pace against each other. With the promise of a hot speed, the one who could sit back and wait to pounce could be the most dangerous. That is the talented North Point as he continues his rise through the ranks.Setback by injury for a few months, many forgot the promise North Point showed as a two-year-old toppling the likes of Demanding Dave. From five starts he claimed two wins and two places through his juvenile campaign. Rested between May and November 2025, expectations might have been curbed slightly for his return.

He lost none of his exuberance and obvious natural ability. To return to the course in the form that he has is the mark of a talented horse. After six months away from racing he came back with a superb 0,4-length second behind Demanding Dave over this trip at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He hit the line with plenty of gusto suggesting that he would be hugely dangerous in his next run. Keep in mind that Demanding Dave has now completed three wins-on-the-bounce.

North Point duly followed up with a classy win over subsequent winner, Black Eagle over the same Hollywoodbets Kenilworth trip. He might be one-dimensional in that he is best over the minimum trip but there are serious races in that range.

With Elusive Winter and Candy Town in this race, they are likely to do what they do best. Their best assets are their speed which should allow North Point to have horses who have battled it out up front to aim at. It is never as simple as wait and pounce but he should have every opportunity judging how the race should transpire.