Two Gr1 winning speed queens clash head on in a return match in the R400 000 Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Fitness and recent form suggests we side with Real Princess – but disregarding the five time Group winner Carry On Alice could prove disastrous.
Champion Val De Ra is a past winner
The honour roll of this feature illustrates the prestige associated with it from a paddock viewpoint – star names like Via Africa, Val De Ra and Laisserfaire get the juices flowing for any serious racing fan.
Triple Gr1 winner Carry On Alice has her first run as a 5yo. She won this race last year and beat Cuvee Brut and Real Princess, who finished a 0,80 lengths third.
Carry On Alice and Real Princess stand out here and meet on the same terms on Saturday.
This is a weight-for-age race plus penalties with 4yo’s and older carrying 58 kgs. Penalties for a Gr1 win are 2kgs, while winners of a Gr2 are penalised a kilo.
Unlike last year when she enjoyed a pipe-opener in the Gardenia Stakes, Carry On Alice comes in off a 27 week break after being beaten 2,05 lengths by Real Princess in the SA Fillies Sprint.
Carry On Alice – wins this race last year – how fit is she?
The daughter of Captain Al had no luck when being baulked in running after being slow off in the Scottsville showpiece. In case anybody sees her as past it, just remember that race came 5 weeks after her scintillating Gr1 Computaform Sprint win.
Dean Kannemeyer’s Real Princess has matured into a top-class sprinter and, if anything, is a better racehorse than 12 months ago. Her prep also looks a little better than Alice’s.
Real Princess is set to turn the tables
She won the SA Fillies Sprint and then came on strongly for third behind Red Ray in the Mercury Sprint.
Her opening run this term now looks good on paper too after Search Party’s gun-to-tape romp in the Merchants last Saturday.
She gave the progressive Brett Crawford son of Captain Al 2kgs when failing by 1,50 lengths to reel him in. That looks decent recommendation back against her own sex and we should not be alarmed after her withdrawal from the Merchants last Saturday after developing a skin condition.
The lightly raced Listed Laisserfaire Stakes winner Beach Goddess has continued to improve and could give both of the top guns a run for their money.
Beach Goddess seen winning the Laisserfaire Stakes – faces her biggest test on Saturday
The daughter of Kildonan looks to have it all to do on paper but is fit and loaded with talent and enthusiasm.
Justin Snaith’s Captain Al pair of Victoria Lavelle and Jo’s Bond are both capable speedsters on the right day and meet Beach Goddess on marginally better terms than their last runs.
Victoria Lavelle may just need it after a break of 19 weeks, while Jo’s Bond is much better than her last when showing pace and dropping out. That said, they look to be place hopefuls at very best.
Corne Spies makes a welcome, albeit rare, trip to the Cape with the new SA sprint record holder Scandal.
SA 1000m record holder Scandal makes it interesting
The daughter of Muhtafal scorched down the Fairview 1000m last Friday to set a new track and SA record and now gets thrown in the deep end. She is not one of those tearaway speed types and can be settled to run at them late. She certainly adds some needle and will be looking to cement her new credentials.
Eric Sands’ Champery finished closest of the carded runners to Beach Goddess in the Laisserfaire Stakes when a 1,35 length fourth.
The daughter of Querari is a half kilo better off with the Crawford galloper and at best must have a place chance given her improved fitness levels.
Dennis Drier has enjoyed mixed fortunes after a flying start to his Cape Summer Of Champions campaign.
His coupling includes the only 3yo in the ten horse line-up in the promising Count Dubois filly, Anime. She opened her Cape scorecard with a decent win over China Pearl in an MR 76 Handicap over Saturday’s track and trip. Her earlier smart form includes an easy win over Just Vogue, who registered her second success when beating decent older fillies in an Allowance Plate at Scottsville on Sunday.
Vaughan Marshall – saddles Varumba
Stablemate Rock On Baby has had two opening Cape runs without producing any sparks. While she gets blinkers for the first time and will be ridden by top jockey Richard Fourie, she does look well held at these weights .
Vaughan Marshall’s Varumba is very effective over the course and distance, but faded out to 4,40 lengths back in the Listed Laisserfaire Stakes. The daughter of Var comes in 2kgs worse off with Beach Goddess and also looks held by Jo’s Bond on her penultimate run.
Real Princess is in her prime and ticks all the boxes. She should have the fitness edge over the top-class Carry On Alice and is the selection to win.
Beach Goddess, the 3yo Anime and Scandal look the most likely trio to scrap over the places.
It promises to be a fascinating race.
