Capetown Noir will be looking to make up for his last narrow defeat to Yorker
Kiss of death. That’s the first thought to come to mind when looking at the wide draw for Beach Beauty in the Drill Hall Stakes. The 1400m race starts right on the bend, suggesting low draws simply must have a big advantage. On the other hand, the pace in the race, full of highclass contenders, usually is fast and furious. Horses racing handy can easily do too much. Now what?
Past results give little solace. Last year’s winner Beach Beauty was drawn 2, and raced handy the whole way. Before that Tales Of Bravery, drawn 11, came from off the pace. Past Master in 2012 drew six and came from behind. So did Tropical Empire the year before, from stall 11. Then there was Earl Of Surrey, always handy from draw six.
Imbongi, drawn nine, from behind. Before that draws one and two, for Successful Bidder (from off the pace), National Spirit (handy), Winter Solstice (handy). And before that, in 2005, Tornado King, slow out from stall 13, flying home. It’s difficult to be dogmatic, then, about the draw.
Another angle. The Drill Hall is run at weight-for-age (with sex allowance), meaning the playing field is level – the best horses should win most often. That works, as low card-numbers show up well (except when a filly like Beach Beauty or a younger horse like Imbongi features – they carry lower weight, and have higher card numbers). It’s best to be with the best, no doubt. So let’s look at the field in order of ratings.
Top of the heap are the Dennis Drier pair of Master Of My Fate and Beach Beauty. Master Of My Fate has become a late scratching, after pulling a tendon earlier this week. Just as well that stable jockey Sean Cormack has stuck with the champion racemare, who ran a good 1200m sprint at Clairwood two weeks ago. That was her first race since her Cape-campaign. She showed good pace throughout, but had to play second fiddle to the sprinters where it mattered. She won this race last year, but will have to be at her absolute best to make it a double. Her draw may not be as wide as it seems, assuming the reserve runners don’t make the cut.
There are no doubts about the fitness Queen’s Plate winner Capetown Noir, who lost by a nose to Yorker at Turffontein last time out, the pair racing wide apart. Yorker franked the form in the Champions Challenge last week, admittedly over a longer distance. Capetown Noir’s best ratings have been achieved over a mile, and this (fast-run?) 1400m should suit him well. He looks to be the one to beat.
Ice Machine was runner-up to Beach Beauty in this race last year. He had an excellent Cape season, barring a below-par effort in the Queen’s Plate, when he was reported coughing. He makes his seasonal debut in KZN, and will probably race off the pace from his wide draw. His races since last year’s Drill Hall second have been over a mile and more, but with a good pace this 1400m should not be too short for him. His race fitness must be taken on trust.
Gauteng visitor Here Comes Billy has shown his best form in sprints. He will probably race handy from his good draw and much will depend on how fast they go here early on. If the pace is reasonable he won’t be stopping and should be in with a good chance. Khumalo gets the ride.
Jet Explorer has a widish draw and normally comes from off the pace. He seems to be best over a mile and more, and this 1400m race probably doesn’t present the best opportunity for him.
Royal Zulu Warrior is another whose best ratings have come over a mile and more. That said, he’s drawn in pole position, likes to race handy, and should not be taken for granted. He hasn’t raced since the J&B Met, but has done well fresh in the past. The 7yo is the oldest competitor in the race, but don’t let that fool you.
No Worries is tried with blinkers again, following two good runs without in the (especially) Queen’s Plate and J&B Met. He gives the impression to be better over a bit more ground, but usually sets the pace or is right there, which will count as an advantage. He finished a good two lengths behind Capetown Noir in the Queen’s Plate, and should not turn the tables on that one.
Rio Carnival showed his well-being with a cracking good win over a mile at Clairwood in March. That race came two months after a win over 1200m at the same track. He looks distance suited and has his winning jockey from last time up again. He tends to come from off the pace, so his wide draw may not matter. Watch him flying late!
Silvano’s Jet hasn’t raced since July last year, and should be best over a lot more ground. Punta Arenas earned his best rating in a Pinnacle Plate won by Variety Club over 1400m at this track a year ago. He has since been campaigned over further, but this distance may still be to his liking. If anything, he lacks the class to compete with the best on level terms.
The same goes for Distinguished, stable mate to Rio Carnival. He won his last two races, over 1450m, setting the pace – his usual style of running – and may have run his best ever race last time out. Still, that probably still leaves him wanting.
Reserve runners Lake Arthur (distance suited), Castlethorpe (in form, but not well off at level weights) and Shogunnar (needs more ground and probably a run after a lay-off since November) will need luck to be able to take part. Lake Arthur gets first bite at the cherry, and on his close sixth in the Queen’s Plate might make the frame (he looks on a par with No Worries).
In summary, the pace in this race may be the key, with Here Comes Billy and Royal Zulu Warrior setting the tempo, together with Distinguished. All depends on how well they do that. A moderate pace would benefit all three of them, and make it much harder for the others to catch them. Still, class should tell, and Capetown Noir with his solid burst of acceleration looks to be the one. The temptation is to pick Beach Beauty for second, but that may not be cut and dried. She’ll first have to catch the front running trio.
