There are no obvious leaders in the City Of Cape Town Gr3 Politician Stakes for emerging 3YO’s and given that most of these young horses are trying the trip for the first time, it could be a slow or, at best, steadily run race.
Sail The Seas (Oisin Murphy) will have to overcome a wide draw on Saturday (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The race is off at 16h45 and is the opening leg of the Jackpot 3 that offers a carryover of R500 000 and a likely pool of R2 million.
Lucky Houdalakis, an astute raiding trainer, brings Wild Intent (7) down from Johannesburg. He has good form, seems sure to relish the longer route and will probably be ridden handily by tactically smart, Gavin Lerena.
Zeitz (4) is a developing staying prospect in the hands of Andre Nel. He may also go forward and try build on a neat post Maiden in a Class 4.
Sail The Seas (12) flopped completely in the Gr1 Cape Guineas but has accumulated four wins from seven starts, earning some smart speed figures in the process. He got the run of the race last time when over three lengths ahead of the re-opposing, Garrix (11).
Sail The Seas is now drawn wide, as is Garrix (again) and it could be a closer tussle this time around. Garrix has produced some powerful come home sectionals and is bound to be dashing boldly in deep stretch.
Major Master (8) is a smart 3YO held in high regard by Bass Racing. He too has flashed some brisk final fractions in shorter races, and a good showing here in this Gr3 would tee him up for a tilt at the Gr1 Cape Derby on the 22nd February 2025. He is a genuine threat carrying 55.5kg’s – receiving weight from some of his main foes.
Dawn Till Dusk (1) mixes his form yet is another with a neat turn of foot. He is sometimes slow out but should get a rail hugging trip under rider, JP van der Merwe who excels on hold-up horses.
Native Ruler (10) has scope but needs to make up a couple of lengths with Garrix based on their clash in November. He is now 3kg’s better off at the weights so could conceivably narrow the gap.
Another lively challenger is Regulation (9), for the powerful Justin Snaith/Richard Fourie combo. He is related to Gr1 Durban July winner Belgarion; won his last start in a romp and must be taken seriously over this distance. Of concern though is that he’s choked up in running on a few occasions.
French Flame (5) was punished by the official handicapper for his run in the Premier’s Championship at Hollywoodbets Greyville back in June when unplaced in the ruck behind VJ’s Angel. He has not run close to that rating since, so his true worth is still to be established. His warm-up sprint was not too bad given that he stumbled during running – perhaps he should not be dismissed just yet.
Commander Green (2) and Express Yourself (3) move steeply up the class ladder and will need to improve on what they’ve shown to date.
