History tells a story about the R400 000 Gr2 Selangor Cup. It’s the golden gateway to the Cape Guineas. The 2017 renewal today looks set to maintain the trend with a nationally representative field, including the undefeated Gauteng raider, Broadway Trip.
Broadway Trip – unbeaten record on the line
The SP top-rated Alec Laird-trained Broadway Trip beat subsequent Gr3 Graham Beck Stakes winner Zen Arcade in the richly endowed BSA August Million at Scottsville in mid August. He maintained his three-from- three record with a no nonsense victory giving weight at Turffontein on 14 October. None of those that he beat at his last start went on to sparkle in the Graham Beck Stakes, and he faces his first serious test of mettle on Saturday. But the son of Trippi jumps from a 2 gate and adds a major dimension of interest to the contest.
Eyes Wide Open looks ready to find his form
Last term’s Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes winner Eyes Wide Open should be primed to deliver a big run at his third start as a 3yo. Glen Kotzen’s son of Dynasty looked in need of it when failing to show any enthusiasm at his last start over the course and distance but has everything in his favour on Saturday.
Brett Crawford’s Captain Al colt Undercover Agent emerged as a classic contender when he chased Tap O’Noth home in the Gr3 Cape Classic at his last start. Prior to that he won two of his three starts and he tries the mile for the first time here. His dam won twice up to 2000m and he looks capable of going further. We will find out how good he is on Saturday.
Ancestry is pipped by Purple Diamond in the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe
The exciting Oratorio colt Ancestry was a fast-finishing Gr1 and Gr2 runner-up as a 2yo and finally gets his big chance to confirm his Guineas – and even Derby – prospects. There is little between him and Eyes Wide Open on their Gr1 clash at the end of last season and he will have come on with the benefit of a pipe-opener sprint at end October. He gets the blinkers fitted and Anton Marcus, who was aboard at his maiden win, rides him on Saturday.
Paul Lafferty’s Sniper Shot has drawn wide and has made respiratory noises at his two mostly uninspiring Cape starts. The son of Judpot is held on his Cape Classic fifth by Undercover Agent and has back-end of quartet prospects at best.
The Sean Tarry-trained Captain And Master comes to the Mother City with a big reputation and the son of Captain Al caught the eye with a scintillating win beating boom KZN 2yo Red Chesnut Road at Greyville at his only start this term. He was well beaten at his only start over a mile – in the Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes – but could be the dark horse here.
The Gr3 Godolphin Barb winner Woljayrine is the pick of Vaughan Marshall stable rider MJ Byleveld and looks a decent 3yo in the making. The son of Jay Peg travelled to Fairview to poach a second career success last time out and while unplaced in the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe as a 2yo, looks to be improving.
Unbeaten in two starts, the Twice Over gelding Do It Again gets thrown into the deep end at his third start, by Justin Snaith. A course and distance winner at his second start, this promising half-brother to Hong Kong star Strongman could be anything – but will need to beat his 11 draw.
The first progeny of his sire to have a runner in this race, the Gitano Hernando gelding Steel Rose is a winner of 2 of his 5 starts and ran on well to beat In The Jungle in a lowly-rated handicap at Durbanville last time. He has plenty to do on what he has shown so far.
Sean Tarry – powerful hand in this race
White River is the second of the Brett Crawford duo. The son of Trippi won his first start as a 3yo beating Cape Quarter but there is little to support suggestions of him being a threat to the top-rated runners on his exposed form.
Oratorio’s son Nordic Chant is the second of the Vaughan Marshall duo and looks the least preferred on jockey choice and exposed form. He followed up on maiden success with a good win but was reported not striding out last time when beaten 8 lengths by River Cam in an MR 69 Handicap. He could be a Derby horse on breeding
The Alado gelding Rocket Countdown won his post-maiden outing in decent style beating Commander Bond a short head in an MR 81 Handicap at Durbanville last time out. He is yet to run out of the money in five starts and has improved with every run. That said, he gets thrown into the feature deep waters here.
A great race in prospect and we could get a glimpse of a possible Cape Guineas winner. It is difficult looking past the top four, with Broadway Trip looking to edge out Ancestry and Undercover Agent. The master Sean Tarry has always rated Captain And Master – we would be tempting fate to disregard him.
