The Cape winter season kicks off in style at Kenilworth on Saturday with the running of the R250 000 Tekkie Town Gr3 Winter Guineas on the mile summer course. A capacity field of sixteen is headed by Gr2 Selangor Cup winner, Hard Day’s Night.
Hard Day’s Night – much better than recent form
The race really does look wide open with fitness a question in a few cases – and a 2kg weight spread from a top MR of 98 to an ambitious 79 at the other end of the spectrum.
Milnerton trainer Joey Ramsden knows his way around this series and saddles a quality coupling, topped by the highest rated galloper in the event.
A son of Warm White Night, Hard Day’s Night beat Victorious Jay in the Gr2 Selangor Cup in November and signalled himself a serious classic prospect for the summer. But that was a false alarm.
Joey must be tearing his hair out as his Cape Guineas effort (admittedly from a bad draw) was followed by a flat run in the CTS Million Dollar. His run 9 weeks ago in a Conditions Plate when 4,50 lengths off Big Cat was also disappointing – he had no excuses really and carried a handy 52kgs.
While Hard Day’s Night is drawn a bit wide, stablemate Mr Wise Guy jumps on the paint.
The son of Visionaire has won three times from eleven starts but has not been exposed at feature level yet, with two lower handicap wins earlier on.
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer had a welcome winner at Kenilworth on Saturday and will be looking for his Cape yard to up the ante after a dream winning run from his KZN Summerveld base.
Lord Marshal – gets the blinkers first time
He slots the blinkers on the consistent Lord Marshal for the first time. Well drawn, the lightly tried son of Horse Chestnut has been on the fringes during the summer and the headgear could make all the difference.
Justin Snaith saddles a coupling headed by Langerman winner, Ready To Attack.
The Australian bred beat Lord Marshal at his penultimate start at level weights but had no answers in the Cape Guineas where he ran downfield. With the departure of Richard Fourie, top man Anthony Delpech is in town and the real concern must be the 18 week break.
Stablemate Elusive Silva has drawn wide and also returns from a break following a good post-maiden win.
The well-bred son of Silvano looks progressive – but difficult to assess on exposed form.
Mike Bass – strong hand
Mike Bass’ Marinaresco has good form and looks to have stayed at home with this series in mind.
He ran an excellent third to It’s My Turn in the Investec Cape Derby and is bound to be a factor with improved fitness in the next two legs.
Stablemate Icy Trail has won twice from six starts and has match fitness on his side. He will need to improve but looks to have the capacity to do so.
Richard Fourie rides Royal Badge who was beaten some 9 lengths by Marinaresco in the Cape Derby. He won his previous two starts well and could be the dark horse in an open race.
Greg Ennion’s Eighth Wonder ran only 1,50 lengths behind Marinaresco in the Cape Derby but disappointed last time when fifth, 4,10 lengths off Brilliant Crimson in the Listed East Cape Guineas.
The Cape Classic winner has drawn very wide here, but is a course and distance winner and capable of earning at best.
Brett Crawford saddles a quartet of form runners.
Poorly drawn Vilakazi won 2 from 4 but ran a below-par race last time when no show behind Milton in an MR 98 Handicap.
Bernard Fayd’herbe – rides for Brett Crawford
Bernard Fayd’herbe rides the consistent Whisky Baron who looks like he could still be a few points ahead of the handicapper and on the improve – like many of his compatriots.
Two decent places followed his maiden win and he turns out a fit horse.
Crawford stable jockey Corne Orffer rides Search Party, who could be held by Eighth Wonder on his penultimate – and was well beaten by a filly last time.
This Is Sparta is the fourth of the Crawford runners and has won two from four against weaker.
For the rest…
Rahvar finished marginally ahead of Whisky Baron last time but has a 3kg weight swing against him.
PE challenger Fly Like The Wind is consistent and was not disgraced on his previous Cape start. He may enjoy the long run in of the summer course.
Eric Sands’ well-bred Streak Of Silver has to improve further on his last run but tries a mile for the first time. He has some ground to make up on his half-brother Potala Palace.
In an open race, we have narrowed it down to Ready To Attack, Hard Day’s Night, Marinaresco, Lord Marshal and the scopy Whisky Baron.
But go as wide as possible in the exotics.
