Summerveld trainer Dennis Bosch saddles his first runner of the Cape Summer Season in today’s R200 000 Gr3 Cape Classic.
Topweighted visitor Padre Pio’s presence is a sign that things are hotting up and the serious racing is under way.
Flashback – Drier’s Chave De Oura wins the 2012 renewal
A reliable pointer to the Cape Guineas, the Cape Classic is generally won by the locals and Mr Bosch won’t take much confidence out of the fact that the last visitor to win was his veteran neighbour Dennis Drier with Chave de Oura, all the way back in 2012, when he carried 54,5kgs to edge out Piet Steyn’s longshot Sanshaawes.
The race is weighted off a base for maidens and 1 time winners of 52kg, with penalties for each additional win of 2kg. Gr1 victories, together with Gr2 and Gr3 scores, is 3kgs, 2kgs and 1kg respectively.
General Franco (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Justin Snaith, who last won this race in 2010 with Solo Traveller, saddles a trio of runners including the enigmatic General Franco. The son of Frankel has not yet lived up to the massive reputation earned on his impressive debut win but probably shouldn’t be written off.
Vaughan Marshall’s exciting Silvano colt Silver Operator is the mount of Anton Marcus, who replaces regular man, MJ Byleveld. After a smart victory on debut, Silver Operator has run two close seconds – including runner-up behind Snow Report in the Langerman. He should be right there.
Top-class Silver Operator (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Second of the Snaith trio, Captain Tatters comes in off a good second – that after being bumped – in the Sophomore Sprint last time out. The son of Gimmethegreenlight should relish the extra.
King Of Gems appeared to fade late in the Langerman when fourth and then reverted to sprinting when staying on without threatening for third behind Three Two Charlie in the Sophomore.
The latter steps up beyond the sprints for the first time and is sure to be even more effective around the turn. The son of What A Winter has a decent draw on his side and can confirm whether he is Cape Guineas material with a big effort here.
Prince Of Persia returned from a four-month break when staying on well under a length behind Skidoo at Durbanville a fortnight ago. The well-related son of Captain Al could be the dark horse in an open race.
Macthief won two good sprints but then failed when stepping up to 1400m at his last start. Seventh Gear looks to hold him on that run.
KZN raider Padre Pio has won 3 of his 5 starts and has his opening run in the Cape. Craig Zackey is back from injury to partner the son of Vercingetorix and his season rests on a big run here.
Seventh Gear – Guineas prospect (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
Dean Kannemeyer has high classic hopes for the beautifully related and handsome Seventh Gear- a son of Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top. Lightly raced, he put up a fair performance at just his third outing last month when staying on late and beaten under a half length by Path Of Choice at Durbanville. From the 1 draw, he will have every chance to cement his Guineas claims.
Langerman winner Snow Report has his second run since being gelded – his opening sprint was an unplaced effort behind Agent Of Fortune at Durbanville. He should improve on that.
Snow Operator beats Silver Operator in Langerman (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Second of the Kotzen duo, Hubble looks a likely pacemaker after he made all to win his maiden by an astonishing nine lengths last time beating the big ticket Track Attack. While Hubble’s rider Morne Winnaar showed great initiative and caught them napping, the latter ran a cracker next time – so the form looks decent on paper.
Last of the Snaith trio, Sachdev is drawn out at 10 and has won his first two 1200m starts impressively, without beating anything of note. The fact that stable jockey Richard Fourie does the honours is an encouraging sign.
The likes of Silver Operator, Seventh Gear, Prince Of Persia and Three Two Charlie look the chief protagonists. The classic picture will be much clearer in the aftermath.
