The Gr1 Majorca Stakes brings a golden curtain down on the fairer sex Cape Summer Of Champions action for this season. The rematch of two outstanding four year olds could prove to be the highlight of a spectacular race in the making.
Same Jurisdiction – excuses last time
The top rated Same Jurisdiction, like her arch rival Inara, is a dual Gr1 winner and was very fancied to win the Maine Chance Farms Paddock Stakes at her last start.
The daughter of Mambo In Seattle has had three Cape runs and looked to be perfectly prepped going into that Gr1 feature.
She moved up well in the final stages but her effort petered out and she ran 3.4 lengths behind Smart Call – and 1.4 lengths behind Inara, who landed up running second.
Both fillies were badly drawn and Same Jurisdiction certainly had her excuses as she suffered an overreach injury in running which may have hampered her chances. She pulled up well with no visble after effects.
She also looks a better bet over the 200m less that she runs on Saturday.
Gr1 Paddock Stakes winner Inara
Mike Bass’ Trippi star Inara ran on powerfully in the Paddock Stakes without threatening Smart Call who beat her two lengths. This outstanding filly achieved the Paddock Majorca Stakes double in 2015 and with plenty in her favour could win this prestigious feature again .
Her stablemate Lanner Falcon, a year older daughter of the same sire, won the Gr2 Diadem Stakes last time and is bang in form. She ran fifth in this race last year and is a length or two inferior to Inara over the mile.
Sean Tarry and S’manga Khumalo have had no luck with the draw for their filly Bichette.
The Gr2 Camellia Stakes winner will jump on the far outside of the field and comes out of a slightly disappointing run in the Diadem, when she dropped out after showing her customary pace.
Her Joburg fairwell run to Smart Call in the Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge over the Turffontein mile brings her in as a lively challenger at best., though.
Alexis
The Gr2 KRA Fillies Guineas winner Alexis was not beaten far by Same Jurisdiction in the Gr1 Garden Province Stakes last term and should be reaching peak fitness again. She caught the eye last time out when running on well behind Eventual Angel in a Conditions Plate.
Adam Marcus has two runners in the race and the better of the duo appears to be the Ideal World filly Fear Not.
While very well held by Same Jurisdiction on her last run, she looks to be much better suited to the mile of this race and will also be fitter than last time. Big race rider Weichong Marwing will add plenty of value to her chances.
Her stablemate Crystal Cavern has run two disappointing races after showing plenty of promise.
She was unlucky in the Victress Stakes when encountering traffic problems and finishing downfield – but had no excuses in the Paddock Stakes when running an ordinary race – the blinkers could make a difference to her.
Sea Cat
Paul Reeves’ Var mare Sea Cat won a very nice race at Fairview at her last start, after a prolonged absence from the winner’s enclosure.
On her best earlier form in this region she must have an undeniable place chance.
The Australian bred Sensible Lover has not been far off in her five Cape starts but should battle at level weights with the likes of Same Jurisdiction. She also has a wide draw to overcome.
Another Australian bred runner of some interest is Andre Nel’s Lohnro mare, Lohnromance, who maintained her unbeaten record with a facile victory in a lowly rated fillies handicap last time.
Her dam was an out and out sprinter and it remains to be seen whether she handles the extra 400m.
Mike De Kock’s Gr1 winner Entisaar makes up a trio of Australian challengers and is also one of only three 3yo’s in the race. She has failed to build on her runner-up berth to Silver Mountain in the Choice Carriers Championship and now goes back around the turn after two quiet sprinting efforts.
Taffety Tart ran two very commendable third places behind her illustrious stablemate Silver Mountain in the Choice Carriers Championship and Cape Fillies Guineas.
It doesn’t get too much better than that in terms of post maiden performances and she could run into the money again.
Her stablemate Moonlight ‘N Roses is drawn a little wider and she has her first dip in feature waters. The daughter of Captain Al will first need to show that she is capable of slugging it out at this level before she can be selected to beat the top guns.
Neil Bruss’ Deputy Ryder has the best of the draw but ran a very poor race in the Paddock Stakes and cannot be fancied on current form.
Double Whammy – wide gate
The Judpot filly Double Whammy has pulled a very wide draw at 15 and has tumbled down the merit ratings in losing her form in recent starts. She seemed to improve slightly in the blinkers last time and wears the headgear again. On her best form she could run into the places.
She does look held by Dennis Drier’s mare Eventual Angel who is a kilo better off for a 2.5 length beating at her last start. Eventual Angel is also decidedly better drawn and has the added benefit of Piere Strydom in the irons.
This could be a boat race of sorts between Same Jurisdiction and Inara, and with little between them, it will go all the way down to the wire.
Anton Marcus won’t be caught napping and if things go according to plan, Duncan Howells could return to Ashburton with some sought after silverware
