While the big guns from the North are not in town, the local classic contenders get an opportunity to sketch a clearer Cape Guineas picture with the running of Saturday’s R350 000 Gr2 Concorde Cup at Kenilworth.
History shows that the race, known as the Selangor Cup up to 2017, has produced six Guineas winners in 22 years.
Four of the big names to do the classic double were Act Of War, Variety Club, Jay Peg and Alpha Omega, while trainer Dean Kannemeyer, who won the race under the Selangor Cup branding six times in his first nine years as a trainer, saddled two of the sextet in Le Drakkar and Express Way.
Flashback – Kannemeyer’s Express Way
Kannemeyer will be keen to renew his classic ties with history and saddles two runners in Saturday’s renewal, including the Sporting Post top-rated African Warrior.
The top trainer recently said that he had placed well in Durban.
“I really only exposed him for the first time in the Matchem. He was badly drawn but it was a fantastic run and I think his best performance so far, fifth behind horses like One World. He had good workout round the turn at Kenilworth before the first race a fortnight ago. His regular pilot Keagan de Melo rode him and he did pacework from the 1 400m. He went well and I was pleased with him.”
African Warrior – looks to build on superb Matchem effort (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
Kannemeyer, who is a fan of the Vercingetorix progeny, says that his charge should get the mile of the Concorde, being by the champion son of Silvano Vercingetorix out of a Jet Master mare. He says the gutsy four-time winner is tough and sound and, although only small, ‘he is as hard as a rock’.
Stablemate Seventh Gear, who will now be ridden by Stuart Randolph, ran on quite nicely in the Cape Classic when just over three lengths off Silver Operator. This Captain Al colt was earmarked early asa Guineas prospect and represents a serious threat to his higher rated companion.
Viva Rio – can he make it four on the trot? (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Glen Kotzen didn’t want to hear of defeat when he travelled to the Eastern Cape and Viva Rio duly made it three on the trot when winning the Listed Racing Association Stakes in good style. He beat local champion Foreign Source who won again recently – and looks the major threat to the Kannemeyer dream of securing another victory in this race.
Does King Of Gems stay? It didn’t appear that way when one-paced late in the Langerman and he ran a more encouraging race when staying on behind Three Two Charlie in the Sophomore Sprint next time out. He failed to flatter when beaten out of the money in the Cape Classic.
The highly regarded Macthief stayed on when not threatening but not disgraced either in the Cape Classic. He was 3,40 lengths of Silver Operator and could enjoy the mile test.
The beautifully-bred Prince Of Persia was prominent for a long way and then stayed on doggedly for fourth and 3,35 lengths behind Silver Operator in the Cape Classic. If ridden more conservatively from a wide draw, he could be thereabouts.
Snow Report beats class act Silver Operator to win the Langerman (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Last season’s Langerman winner Snow Report has failed in his two starts as a 3yo. He dropped out in the Cape Classic when 8,15 lengths behind Silver Operator and needs to up his game.
Cane Lime ‘n Soda has done little wrong, winning two of his first five local starts before travelling to Fairview for the Listed Racing Association Stakes. A little way out of his ground, he stayed on late but was well beaten by a 3,25 length margin by Viva Rio. There is no question he goes the mile and with Anton Marcus up, he could be the dark horse.
Justin Snaith’s Sachdev was drawn poorly when making no show and finishing well down field in the Cape Classic. He tries the mile for the first time and won his first two starts over the Kenilworth 1200m like a good horse.
Third of the Kotzen trio, Hexatonic has no collateral with the main pretenders in this field but has won over a mile and has the advantage of a pole position draw.
Second of the Bass-Robinson runners, Arctic Drift won his maiden on debut as a 2yo but has shown little at his two starts this term.
While he has to concede a kilo to all of his opponents, African Warrior could confirm his rating with a serious effort. Major threats are his yard mate Seventh Gear and Kotzen’s Oratorio gelding, Viva Rio.
Read more in the latest Sporting Post Digest – click on the image below
