Guineas Day Snaith Arsenal

Jono Snaith talks us through their card of runners

Snaith Racing must surely rate among the most media and punter friendly of our racing stables. They always support feature days in full force and with 24 runners primed and ready, 2016 Grand Parade Cape Guineas day is no exception. Jono Snaith talks us through their arsenal.

“We are taking our A-team for the first time this season and would normally expect a big day. However, by our standards the yard has been quiet and our horses have been a bit in and out, so it’s hard to have confidence.”

Race 1 is the 1000m Kuda Maiden Juvenile Plate and sees a field of 9 unraced 2yo’s. The Snaiths have three runners including Oratio (Bernard Fayd’herbe), Sir Frenchie (Piere Strydom) and Varside (Aldo Domeyer). “I think Sean Tarry’s Warrior’s Rest is the horse to beat, but I wouldn’t leave any of ours out of the quartets. Oratio is a nice colt – include in quartets. Sir Frenchie shows a lot of speed back home. Varside can place, include in quartets.”

Race 2, theMacbrothers MR72 Open Handicap over 1000m, has a field of 9 and the Snaiths send out the Trippi filly, Harakiri with Craig Bantam in the saddle. Jono says, “Harakiri gets a claim and has an each way chance.”

A small field of 7 will face the starter in the 3rd, the 1200m RA MR 80 Open Handicap where the Snaiths saddle 2 runners. “Captain Courteous goes for his fifth win in a row and we think can do it in against this field. He has strong claims. Mutzi (who Justin accompanied to the start on Met day this year after he dislodged jockey S’manga Khumalo) drops down in trip and should run into the quartets.”

Bela-Bela – could do it on class alone

Race 4 sees 8 horses line up for the 1400m Table Bay Hotel Conditions Plate for Fillies & Mares and is Bela-Bela’s first run since the 2016 Durban July. Anton Marcus has been engaged for the ride. Jono says, “She has improved. It is her first run back so we are not expecting a win, but she could do it on class alone. Star Express (drawn 4 with Piere Strydom on board) is a high class filly, but has not run in a year because she did a suspensory ligament. She has recovered and is 100% sound, but her main goal for the Cape Summer Season is the Paddock Stakes, so this will be a run to bring her on.”

Race 5, the first of the afternoon’s features, is the 1600m Listed Grand Foods Jet Master Stakes. There is a carded field of 7, including the lightly weighted R5.2 million Bass-Robinson charge, Horizon. The Snaiths saddle 3 runners. Baritone, who was their 8th winner on Met day 2016, has drawn 4 and has Piere Strydom on board. Jono comments, “He carries top weight, but is ultra consistent against high class company. Overshadow (drawn 7 with S’manga Khumalo on board) is also ultra consistent and will run his usual game race. Fifty Cents (drawn 1 and with Anthony Andrews in the saddle) carries no weight and could surprise.”

Race 6 is the Gr2 Sun International Premier Trophy over 1800m. The Snaiths saddle 4 of the 8 carded runners, including Ovidio, Dynamic, Krambambuli and Prince Of Wales. “Ovidio (drawn 1 with Piere Strydom on board) likes a longer trip, but will run a good race as he is particularly well. Dynamic (drawn 8 with Greg Cheyne in the saddle) is having his 3rd run back after a rest, but needs to reproduce his best form to win here. Krambambuli (drawn 7 with Aldo Domeyer in the irons)’s last two runs were a little disappointing and we’re hoping for an improved effort. Prince Of Wales (drawn 3 with S’manga Khumalo in the saddle) has been crying out for the summer course and is a possible banker on the day.”

Zodiac Ruler will love this trip and has the ability to upset

There is a full 16 runners for the 2016 Cape Guineas field and Justin saddles 2, including the imported Zoffany colt, Zodiac Ruler and Bishop’s Bounty (a full brother to Red Ray, Brutal Force and Nania). Gr2 Golden Horseshoe winner Zodiac Ruler has a 13 draw and Piere Strydom rides the Aussie import. “We were extremely disappointed with him last time out (the 1400m Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes in November), but he will love this trip and does have the ability to upset here.” The beautifully bred Bishop’s Bounty, last seen finishing 2 lengths behind Safe Harbour in the 1400m Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes, has a plum draw of 3 and Aldo Domeyer gets the ride. Jono says, “On his last run he is looking for the mile. He is very well and hard to leave out of exotics. I think a lot will depend on pace, but he’s got a good draw and has Met-winning jockey Aldo Domeyer in the saddle who won’t do much wrong.”

Race 8 is the 1800m Gr3 CTS Victress Stakes for Fillies And Mares and Snaith Racing has 3 runners in the 12 horse field. Jono says, “Fear Not (drawn 4 with Bernard Fayd’herbe) is doing particularly well – do not leave her out. Francia (drawn 3 with Anton Marcus in the irons) is a highly consistent filly against good company. Although this is a little on the sharp side for her, she will run a cracker. Qing has a poor draw, but has the services of Piere Strydom. She will love the summer course and a big run is expected.”

Race 9, the Gr3 Grand West Cape Sumer Stayers Handicap over 2500m sees Justin saddle 3 of the 13 runners in Ultimate Dollar (drawn 13 with S’manga Khumalo in the saddle), Captain Splendid (drawn 1 with Piere Strydom on board) and Arezzo (drawn 9 with Greg Cheyne in the irons). Jono comments, “Ultimate Dollar ran a disappointing race last time out and will have to reproduce his earlier form to be competitive here. Captain Splendid didn’t stay last time and will return to form here – should go close. Arezzo had a great run last time out and we would expect to see a similar effort.”

The last race on the day’s card is the 1400m Polar Ice Cream Maiden Plate and the Snaiths saddle Pride Rock (drawn 9 with Piere Strydom on board). Jono says, “It is a very strong field but he does have an each way chance.”

Check out the Snaith Racing Facebook page for pre-race interviews with Justin.