The Hollywoodbets Durbanville track action ups the ante on Saturday with the traditional spring season double-feature starter of the Kuda Gr3 Matchem Stakes (15h15) and Baker McVeigh Gr3 Diana Stakes (14h10) headlining a bumper ten race card on the Bubbles & Blossoms raceday.
The classy Khaya cruiser Gimme A Prince – class could count on Saturday (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Dean Kannemeyer last won the Matchem Stakes with the top-class Capetown Noir a decade ago and saddles a three-way coupling headed by the high-class MR 130 rated Gimme A Prince – who, like Capetown Noir, races in the Khaya black and yellow flag – in Saturday’s renewal.
Probably the lightest raced 6yo in the country, Gimme A Prince returns from nearly a year off the track, after his narrow defeat by champion Charles Dickens in the Matchem Stakes of 2023.
The plan then was to target the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, but knee issues have kept the dual Grade 1 winner of the Cape Flying Championship (1000m) and the Golden Horse Sprint (1200m), as horse as classy and as talented as he is good-looking, off the track.
Gimme A Prince’s is the first foal of the Klawervlei Stud-bred Real Princess (Trippi), who was the highest priced filly at the Cape Premier Yearling Sale of 2013, fetching R2,7 million.
She was out of Pagan Princess, who was one of Klawervlei’s best broodmares. Pagan Princess was only a one-time winner, but she was by champion stallion Fort Wood and was a half-sister to the Al Mufti superstar Victory Moon. Pagan Princess lived up to her superb pedigree by producing the goods at stud.
Real Princess was the first foal of Pagan Princess and won the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint for Dean Kannemeyer and Lady Christine Laidlaw. Pagan Princess also produced Gr1 Cape Guineas winner William Longsword (Captain Al), who is a successful sire at Klawervlei today, as well as two other stakes winners, Silver God and Really Royal.
A delighted Lady Christine Laidlaw and Jehan Malherbe celebrate the 2024 SplashOut Cape Derby victory of Green With Envy – more champagne on Saturday? (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“Lady Laidlaw has been so patient with Gimme A Prince and he has been given the necessary time and care to bring him back to his best. He was up in KZN with us last season and I have no doubt that he will be in need of the run on Saturday. I see there is some rain forecast, and that would be in his favour! We’d like to see him come through it well and then we can start looking at planning a few Grade 1 targets. His race record shows his outstanding ability and we have always held him in the highest regard,” added Dean Kannemeyer.
The Milnerton veteran also saddles Gimmie’s Countess for Khaya Stables in the Baker McVeigh Gr3 Diana Stakes.
“I would have preferred to have started Gimmie’s Countess up the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth straight, but we regard her as a classic prospect and we need to get going with her. She has already shown Grade 1 potential and ran a top race in the Allan Robertson Championship, when hemmed in on the rail and flying up late. She was a bit lost on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turn in the Golden Slipper and then we rested her after that. I know it’s difficult for a young horse first time at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, but we need to see where we are at with her. Serino Moodley has done well for us previously and travels from Durban as Craig (Zackey) can’t do the weight. I think we can look forward to a great day of racing,” concluded Kannemeyer.
Enjoy the Dean Kannemeyer thoughts on Cape Racing’s Perfectly Placed:
It’s an early start with the first due off at 11h20, so don’t forget to get your selections in for the free-to-play Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge at least 5 minutes before the first is off.
Symphony In White from the Candice Bass-Robinson stable takes her place in Race 2. She fought hard when third in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship last time.
It must be noted that Quid Pro Quo has come out and won a Gr1 and Gr2 since. She returns from a 17-week break, during which time she would have strengthened up.
She has plenty of class and should be the one to beat.
Trainer Piet Botha sends out Baton Rouge in Race 5. He ran a fair race against stronger over 1800m on this course last time.
It must be noted that Call To Unite has come out and won again since. The 4yo gelding takes a drop in class.
Jockey Keanen Steyn is likely to use his early gate speed to overcome his awkward draw and the pair may be hard to peg back.
| Weather | Partly Cloudy, 25 km/h N/W Tail wind | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainfall | Last 24 Hours: Nil | Last 7 Days: 9mm | |
| Irrigation | Last 24 Hours: Nil | Last 7 Days: 20mm | |
| Penetrometer Reading | 21 | ||
| Track Condition | Good | ||
| False Rail | Zero on back straight, with a 3m spur at approximately the 550m mark. | ||
- The Bipot starts in the second race at 11h50
- The Place Accumulator starts in the third race at 12h25
- The Pick 6 starts in the fourth race at 12h55
- The first Jackpot starts in the fifth race at 13h30
- The second Jackpot starts in the seventh race at 14h40
