Ze Kaiser (Grant Van Niekerk) gets the better of Power King (Karl Neisius) in an exciting finish to the Cape Mile (Pic: Bay Media)
Trainer Mike Bass and jockey Grant Van Niekerk won three out of the first six races on the Kenilworth Prawn Festival programme with the inconsistent but talented Ze Kaiser crowning a Silvano exacta when beating the year younger Power King in the R110 000 Cape Mile.
The non black-type feature was raced as the Magnum Mile last season, but like a few Cape features, did not enjoy the same branding this time round.
But that would not have mattered for Mike Bass and the connections of a beautifully bred horse that once promised plenty but has delivered stakes placings at best in a chequered career.
Mike Bass – good day at the office
Veteran rider Gerrit Schlechter took South Kensignton up to lead King Of Pain and Power King with the pace a relaxed one. Grant Van Niekerk had the eventual winner relaxed at the career and about eight lengths off the action.
Into the home run, South Kensington upped the ante as Power King loomed up menacingly with King Of Pain appearing to hit a flat patch.
The race looked open and up for Power King’s taking at the 400m, but Van Niekerk was swooping on the big grey and Ze Kaiser produced an impressive turn of foot from last at the 300m to cut through the centre of the track as Power King went past South Kensington on his outside.
The two went for the line with the 15 to 10 Power King (under a right-handed ride) drifting to his left and away from the whip to join Ze Kaiser three strides from the post.
Karl Neisius was forced to put his whip down and stopped riding Power King as the 12 to 1 Ze Kaiser went on strongly to win by 0,40 lengths in a time of 103,12 secs
King Of Pain did enough after a long break to hold his stablemate Disco Al out of third.
Ze Kaiser has now won 5 races with 10 places from 32 starts and R423 330 in stakes.
Grant Van Niekerk – clever ride from last
Bred by Midlands Equine, Ze Kaiser is by Silvano out of the prolific winner producing Palace Music mare, Palace Bride
This is the same family as the top class stakes winners Silver Mist and Shades Of Indigo.
Mike Bass bought the grey half-brother to Dubai winner and Queen’s Plate runner-up Silver Mist for R700 000 at the Vintage Yearling Sale held at Durbanville in 2011. He was the top lot on that sale.
Bass won the next race on the card when Bernard Fayd’herbe won the Gr3 Prix Du Cap on the Trippi mare Hammie’s Hooker.
