In stark contrast to the Cape Fillies Guineas, the R400 000 Gr2 Cape Merchants is known to dish up the odd curved ball. But then it is a handicap. The return of dual winner Tevez and last year’s shock winner Triptique, could prove the highlights.
Triptique beats Tevez in 2015 – they are both back for more
A seventeen horse typically tricky cross-age handicap down the 1200m straight awaits punters and it will be a mix of emotion, intellect and form that carves out the end selection.
Last year’s shock winner Triptique, who derailed a mighty hat-trick bid by the evergreen Tevez, is back for more.
The son of Trippi’s recent form is less than inspiring and he has not won a race in a year.
His run – at weight for age – when chasing New Predator home in the Drill Hall Stakes in May demonstrated his ability to run to a decent rating at times.
If he arrives in the mood, he may be worth including, but won’t have it easy.
The 7yo Tevez enjoys a love affair with this race.
Flashback to Tevez winning the Gr2 Cape Merchants in 2014
The Caesour gelding won in 2013 and 2014, and was then narrowly denied last year by Triptique. He is now 2kgs better off with the Drier runner.
Sparingly raced, Tevez’ recent form is okay without inspiring attention and while he is 2kgs worse off for a 2,50 length beating by Search Party in a Conditions Plate last time, he is bound to strip fitter and very likely to up his game.
Search Party is as much as 3,5kgs better off with her here, but the son of Captain Al will need to prove he can maintain that form.
Corne Orffer takes the ride on Search Party with Sihle Cele switching to Orion Quest.
The latter has run two great races when second to top 3yo’s Always In Charge and Attenborough at his most recent starts. The 4yo only has his seventh start and we know what bad judges jockeys can be – so let’s not read too much into jockey bookings!
The highly-rated KZN 3yo’s Hack Green and Gunner could be interesting possibilities off the 52kg mark.
Hack Green was unbeaten in three starts, including a Gr2 Umkhomazi Stakes win, when he failed to fire after a three month break when beaten 4,30 lengths by Search Party in his Cape debut.
Hack Green will have benefitted from his last outing
The son of Gimmethegreenlight is much better than that and improvement is close on guaranteed.
Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes winner Gunner ran an unplaced prep at him in mid-October and has his first Cape run.
He looks a top-class youngster but needs to show he can take on the seasoned speedsters on home turf.
Jay Peg’s son Silicone Valley could be something of a surprise package in the race.
His last win after a five month break in a strong race was eyecatching and his course and distance record suggests caution.
Asstar ran unplaced in this race last year and comes off a KZN campaign that yielded two wins and two places from five starts. Another proven course and distance performer, he could be dangerous back at home.
Justin Snaith has three in the race but it won’t be regarded as his strongest feature attack.
S’manga Khumalo’s mount Captain Swarovski could be the best of the three as his course and distance form looks reasonable.
His most recent win was on the Greyville poly in June and he was only beaten 3 lengths by Silicone Valley in his prep – and whom he meets on 2kgs better terms.
Captain Alfredo wins Southeaster Sprint – but he has lost form
The speedy Captain Alfredo gets the services of Piere Strydom but has failed to recapture his best form of last season.
Candice Bass-Robinson’s Ernie looked to be something decent in the making last term but is yet to spark in two runs this term.
His course and distance form is fair and he could well bounce back into contention.
Victorious Jay is 2,5kgs better off with Silicone Valley for a 0,75 length beating last time out and on his best form shown as a 3yo (including the Cape Guineas) is worthy of his place in this line-up.
His stablemate Exelero is very talented on his day but looks held in this line-up
Gr3 Byerley Turk winner Mambo Mime is the second of the Dean Kannemeyer runners.
The son of Mambo In Seattle has not run in 22 weeks since his 3,85 lengths behind The Conglomerate in the Vodacom Durban July and will need a little further to be effective.
This is a very tricky race.
The class lies with Tevez – but there are others bubbling just below the surface – the likes of Brett Crawford’s Search Party and Orion Quest, to name but two.
Then there are the two 3yo’s adding to the puzzle.
Go wide in the exotics.
