The high-class Trip To Heaven had to play second fiddle to his champion stablemate Carry On Alice in the 2017 renewal of the R1 million Gr1 Cape Flying Championship and his performance on Saturday could be key to the outcome of Saturday’s feature.
Trip To Heaven – ran second in this race in 2017
A fellow with a bad habit of missing the jump, the talented Trip To Heaven actually got away on terms under Richard Fourie in the Diadem Stakes last time out and then failed to kick late – running fifth and 3,75 lengths behind Snaith shock winner, Bishop’s Bounty. He might have run too freely there and Anton Marcus can get the winning mix on Saturday. A tardy start seems to work for him.
The ever game Sergeant Hardy won the Listed Southeaster Sprint at his penultimate start and was just a little one-paced when third and 2,75 lengths behind Bishop’s Bounty in the Diadem. The Sergeant is guaranteed to stretch them again on Saturday and is very difficult to peg back when he puts his head down.
Sergeant Hardy – tough customer to peg back
Search Party was unplaced in this race last year and has had two quiet lead-up runs. Richard Fourie could be the jockey strike to reignite this talented gelding’s enthusiasm.
The lightly-raced Graduation Day was unplaced in the Merchants last time out and has his first run in the Cape. Anton Marcus’ preference for Trip To Heaven suggests that the Tarry runner is superior.
Jo’s Bond ran a good fifth in the Sceptre Stakes and this lightning fast daughter of Captain Al could threaten for quartet money.
Brutal Force showed dangerously in the Southeaster Sprint when staying on for third, but was then way back in the Diadem.
Talktothestars – not at best
Talktothestars was a length in front of Brutal Force there and has not won in ages. He is the kind of horse who could turn up in a galloping mood and take this lot on. But Kenilworth has never been his happiest hunting ground.
Dennis Drier’s Var filly Sommerlied’s form has tapered negatively at her last two starts and she failed to quicken when finishing in midfield in the Sceptre Stakes last time. This is even tougher.
Live Life won on this day last term but the daughter of Trippi is yet to rekindle her 3yo promise. Greg Cheyne will be looking to attack the leaders late – but watch the south easter as she is drawn on the paint.
The very speedy Alfolk has won 4 of 9 starts and, while facing a big task on paper, could be better than the official rating suggests.
Anthony Delpech rides stablemate Naafer – also a son of Lonhro – who ran a good second in the Joburg Merchants and was runner-up to boom colt Mustaaqeem in the Gr1 SA Nursery last season. The stable has not been in great form in the Cape features, but this could be a turning point.
Always In Charge – another not at his best
Always In Charge dropped out in the Diadem and is battling to regain his better form after showing up well in the Merchants in his previous start.
The evergreen 8yo Tevez has found his best form, rattling late to chase Bishop’s Bounty in the Diadem last time. He ran under 2 lengths fifth to Carry On Alice in this race last year.
The classy Attenborough has not shown up recently but gets the services of Piere Strydom and looks to be crying out to be ridden quietly. The son of Western Winter is overdue to put his best hoof forward again and would need to find his better 3yo form to get into the money.
Bold Respect – the 3yo sprints well
The 3yo Bold Respect chased Sir Frenchie in the Sophomore Sprint last time and is very effective this course and distance. Brett Crawford stable jockey Corne Orffer rides him over Search Party.
La Favourari and Percival both hail from the Andre Nel yard. The West Coast-based training operation has been hit by a virus and they look unlikely starters.
Olympian ran second at Fairview in his last start. This looks tough at these weights.
Trip To Heaven is now a year without a win. He is just too hot for that kind of record and he is the choice to beat Attenborough and Naafer – with Sergeant Hardy always a danger.
