Superlative Flies To Win The Guineas

Justin Snaith and Anton Marcus joined forces at Kenilworth on Saturday to win the R750 000 Gr1 Cape Guineas for the first time since 2010 and 2011 respectively, when the handsome Twice Over colt Double Superlative flew up late in the race to collar his game stablemate, Pomp And Power.

The Snaith’s last Cape Guineas win was with Solo Traveller, while Marcus piloted Variety Club to victory for Joey Ramsden in 2011.

Anton Marcus gives the salute as Double Superlative storms home to win the Cape Guineas (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)

Racing in the silks of KZN owner Nic Jonsson, Double Superlative  came in under the radar in the alternate first leg of the SA Triple Crown on Saturday after just four starts, including a post-maiden fourth in a small field in the Cape Classic.

While Pomp And Power was the most proven of the Snaith trio, there was plenty of talk about Grant van Niekerk’s ride Pacaya, but the son of Trippi was never in the hunt and finished in midfield.

“I think it was Jono Snaith who phoned me and asked if I wanted to win the Guineas. I jumped at the chance and must be honest and say that I didn’t do much of the work on him. The pace was reasonable and while the draw was always a concern, it worked out well,” said Marcus, who is now well over his century mark of Gr1 winners.

With Mr Master Starter was slow off, it was Pomp And Power who grabbed the early lead ahead of stablemate Double Superlative. Despite the positives of the Kenilworth home straight, and all the opportunities it gives those that come from off the gallop, the top two were in front and that was the way things were to stay, with a late swap.

Pomp And Power continued to gallop powerfully into the home run, with Trip Of Fortune being switched out and running – before he appeared to strike the rail.

But Marcus had matters under control and the former champion even grabbed a chance to salute late as Double Superlative (10-1)  went past Pomp And Power as he charged home to win the prestigious classic by 1,25 lengths in a time of 99,29 secs.

Jono Snaith and Nic Jonsson lead the winner in (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)

Craig Bantam was a late call-up in the place of Smanga Khumalo on the Concorde Cup winner Pomp And Power (16-1), and the young rider did everything but win the race, as the son of Vercingetorix stayed on resolutely for second.

Cosmic Highway (6-1) was the first of the Kannemeyer trio home, with the son of Gimmethegreenlight finishing smartly from his wide for third, just ahead of the even wider drawn Zapaitallas (10-1) who ran fourth.

Glen Kotzen enjoyed a race of mixed fortunes with his quartet. Never Ending Rain (100-1) ran a gallant fifth, but his other three filled the bottom ranks.

Described as a horse that is something of a ringer for the stable’s July double winner Do It Again, Double Superlative was bred by Patrica Devine Investments from Klawervlei sire Twice Over (Observatory) out of the Jet Master five-time winner, Come Fly With Me.

He has won 2 races with 3 places from his 5 starts for stakes of R539 600.

Owner Nic Jonsson apparently mandated the Snaiths to buy up all the Twice Over progeny as they are generally regarded as undervalued.

Twice Over has two sons entered in the 2022 Gr1 Cape Town Met and eight lots on the 2022 Cape Premier Yearling Sale.

OFFICIAL RESULT