Liquid Mercury looks the one to be with at Kenilworth on Sunday
With the Cape Winter Series first leg winner Act Of War a likely runner in next weekend’s Gr1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville, the path is opened for his talented stablemate Liquid Mercury to step into the void and make a name for himself in today’s R250 000 Gr3 Winter Classic to be run over 1800m at Kenilworth.
There is plenty of quality spawned in the Cape Winter Series.The recent Gr2 Betting World 1900 was fought out by the top two finishers in this race last year – except that Dynastic Power turned the tables on Power King.
Past Winter Classic winner Hill Fifty Four seen winning the 2014 Met
And there are a few Met winners in the honour roll too – the most recent being Hill Fifty Four in 2012 and the most illustrious undoubtedly the champion Pocket Power.
The outstanding Act Of War won the Gr3 Winter Guineas earlier this month and his absence here means that there is no chance whatsoever of a Winter Triple Crown champion this year.
But that does not detract from the interest in a nine horse field where, surprise, surprise – Joey Ramsden holds a strong hand.
Eyecatcher
Joey Ramsden – just can’t do anything wrong at the moment
His smart Trippi gelding Liquid Mercury (94) may be a few lengths off the big guns of his generation, but he caught the eye when reeling off four wins on the trot after shedding his maiden in early November last year.
He was then tried in the Investec Cape Derby and came out of that Gr1 test with a 4,80 length third behind Ertijaal – and only being shaded by his illustrious stablemate Act Of War.
He has been brought along quietly in two runs since his ten week post Derby break, and ran on steadily when a 1,85 length fourth in the Winter Guineas last time.
The extra 200m will be right up his alley here and with improved fitness, he is likely to make his presence felt. He is a gelding that takes time to get going and the winter course may not be the ideal platform in that sense – but he has a stamp of class and looks a logical first choice.
Bass Quartet
Mike Bass – has had success in this event
Mike Bass has four of the nine runners and the highest rated of his quartet is Sail For Gold (93), who finished a half length in front of Liquid Mercury in the Winter Guineas after running on strongly late.
This Sail From Seattle gelding tries the 1800m for the first time and has walked a quieter path than his adversary, who beat him over 1400m when shedding his maiden.
There is little to choose between the two on the official ratings and if Sail For Gold improves over the 1800m (he is out of a Doowaley mare – if that tells us anything), then there could be some breathing down Liquid Mercury’s neck.
The last of those rated in the 90’s is another Bass charge in Royal Dreamer (92), who came on strongly for third in the Winter Guineas – and thus shaded Liquid Mercury.
The son of Rebel King has won twice, including a modest handicap against older horses over 2000m. So we know he stays.
Brett Crawford saddles the very consistent Night In Seattle (89), a two time winner who has earned at all of his 9 starts.
The Mambo In Seattle gelding ran on steadily for fourth and under two lengths behind Sheer Trouble in an MR 99 Handicap at his last run after beating Alpha Pegasi over 1400m at his penultimate.
A run that catches the eye is his flying 1,75 length second to subsequent EP Derby winner St Tropez in January.
He is yet to go the 1800m, but if he stays could challenge.
Shadows
Martin Wickens and Gisela Burg – own and bred Catkin
The second of the Ramsden runners in Martin Wicken’s and Gisela Burg’s Horse Chestnut gelding Catkin (88), who showed pace in the Winter Guineas before fading out to a 3,60 length fifth.
He had no luck in running there but after showing flickers of some really good ability as a 2yo, he has largely lived in the distant shadow of his illustrious stablemate Act Of War for much of his sophomore year.
He was 8 lengths back in the Investec Cape Derby – his previous try over ground – but is out of a high quality mare who won at feature level up to 1800m.
Seven Oceans (82) was well beaten in the Guineas and his form (other than a second subsequent KRA Guineas winner The Conglomerate in December) is largely ordinary.
That run was over 1800m and he is out of a mare who won 6 races from 1800m to 2400m.
Alight
Justin Snaith – Fire Master could improve
Justin Snaith’s Fire Master (80) has not set the world alight, since a decent second and third run.
He ran a short behind Night In Seattle at his post-maiden third (the St Tropez race) and was finishing well when under a half-length third behind Catside Slew last time.
His dam won up to 2000m and his style of racing suggests that he could be effective at 1800m. He could be the lurker in the pack and crying out for this trip.
No Resistance (76) took seven runs to win his maiden and has run two fair seconds against older horses in his four runs since then.
He had excuses last time when running downfield over 1400m and is another who looks more comfortable over this trip.
Former Justin Snaith trained Parachute Man (76) is now with Darryl Hodgson and has proven a touch disappointing after two back-to-back wins early on that earned him a Guineas ticket.
Gavin Lerena is riding with great confidence in his SA champion title quest and he could have a plan up his sleeve to take them on from the front. The son of High Chaparral certainly looks better than his form and could aspire to reach the heights of an MR 85 again.
Pace
A fitter Liquid Mercury looks the right one in a race where an upset is not an impossibility given the fact that some are trying the 1800m for the first time.
Ramsden has a natural pacemaker in Catkin (Parachute Man looks a back-up on that front) and so the pace should be true.
That usually means the form will work out.
Include Fire Master in bigger perms – he should enjoy the 1800m test.
