Joey Ramsden has been in the wars of late, between a shoulder operation and an accident at his yard. But the resilient Brit will be out to end the Cape Summer Season in style with a double in today’s R250 000 Gr3 Prix Du Cap.
The outstanding Dynasty filly, Just Sensual
With his 2017 Prix Du Cap winner Just Sensual, the 2016 Cape Fillies Guineas victress, sold and en route to Australia, JR will be keen for a big run from the Gimmethegreenlight filly Rose In Bloom in advance of the KZN Champions Season. Brian and Kathy Finch’s favourite has raced in the daunting shadows of the likes of Snowdance and Magical Wonderland in recent months, and deserves a break.
Rose In Bloom – chance to crown a summer in the shadows with a victory
The Listed Irrisdescence Stakes winner of her 2yo season, the gallant Rose In Bloom is not particularly well in on the conditions of this weight-for-age plus penalties contest. But she is overdue to score a first win in her 3yo term after placings in some serious features. If the 1400m doesn’t catch her out, she could prove the value under Robert Khathi.
Joint topweight Goodtime Gal has found things tough with relatively ordinary efforts in the Majorca Stakes and Paddock Stakes. The daughter of Royal Air Force is best around this trip and can improve on her sixth to Just Sensual last year.
A runner-up there was Andre Nel’s Captain’s Flame, who will be a popular choice from the 1 draw. The daughter of Captain Al is getting on and hasn’t won in ages – but she is very smart and a difficult lady to peg back, when out front.
Miss Katalin finished third behind Rose In Bloom in the Irridescence Stakes last season but achieved a big win with a devastating late run in the Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes at her penultimate start. She ran on smartly at her last start to beat a small field over Saturday’s course and distance and can challenge for serious money here.
Final Judgement – not at best of late
Final Judgement was outgunned in the Majorca Stakes last time out and prior to that travelled to PE where she was beaten out of the money in the Listed Lady’s Bracelet. The choice of Richard Fourie to ride course and distance winner Elusive Heart, suggests the latter is the stable elect.
Elusive Heart failed to feature in the Sophomore Sprint last time but should prove more competitive against her own sex. The daughter of Elusive Fort boasts a rare victory over the trip (on the old course) over Snowdance and is worth including in bigger perms.
Seattle Gold – powerful front runner
Seattle Gold failed to find her feet in the summer features but is a strong front-runner at best.
Whose That Girl found the peak of the Cape Summer Season too hot to handle with unplaced runs in the Victress and the Paddock Stakes. She is a more serious threat in the winter and has to beat her wide draw.
The well-bred and lightly raced Love To Boogie is a difficult customer to assess. She came back to win well after a six month break but is unexposed and goes this trip for the first time.
Louisiana has no recent form to recommend her and we have to go back to June 2017 to track her last win.
Goodtime Gal and Captain’s Flame are powerful forward gallopers and capable of fighting this out. A hot pace seems assured and that could play into the hands of Rose In Bloom and the improving Miss Katalin, who can run them all down late.
