The newmaking General Franco turns out at Kenilworth today where the son of Frankel takes on the year old stakes winner Traces and Dennis Drier’s Gr2 Golden Horseshoe third placer Cartel Captain.
Jonathan Snaith and John Freeman lead in General Franco on debut (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The eight-race programme gets underway at 13h05 with the Cape’s second juvenile race of the season.
But it is General Franco’s presence in the seventh, a 1100m Graduation Plate, that is likely to evoke most interest. He reverted to the 1000m last time but never really got into it when 1,25 lengths behind Constable. This will be his sixth start and he cannot be discounted.
Cartel Captain has his first run as a gelding and it is good to see Gavin Lerena in the Mother City to ride the son of Captain Of All, who returns from a break of 21 weeks. Dennis Drier suggests he will be competitive.
Anton Marcus rides the one-eyed Traces for Brett Crawford. The son of Snitzel ran on well for fifth in the Cape Merchants and will now be reaching improved fitness levels.
The false rail on the winter course is in the original position with a 4m spur at the 470m mark.
On Saturday racing reverts to the summer course.
First-timer / Rested horses comments:
1 13:05 – ITSARUSH.CO.ZA WELCOMES YOU MAIDEN JUVENILE PLATE (Fillies)
1 DAD’S CATCH G R Puller: Has had a grass gallop and should run well
2 FAVORITA S J Snaith: Has had one grass gallop and should be in the money
3 MIFID TWO G S Kotzen: Sharp filly should run well
4 MUSICAL GLITCH G S Kotzen: Put up a good gallop and could run well
5 RUBY RHYTHM G S Kotzen: Should be competitive
6 SPACIAL AURA M J Robinson: Nice filly, should run well
7 WINTER PEACE C Bass-Robinson: May need the experience
2 13:40 – CAPE TOWN SUMMER OF CHAMPIONS MAIDEN PLATE
3 ALNWICK CASTLE A N Marcus: Will need run but has ability and is one to follow
11 WHAT A MAN P Steyn: Had a grass gallop but will need the run
3 14:20 – TABONLINE.CO.ZA MAIDEN PLATE (F & M)
2 KINDRED COUNTESS P P Kruyer: Showing nice work at home, should run a reasonable race
7 16:40 – INTERBET.CO.ZA 0861 150 160 GRADUATION PLATE
3 FABIAN C Bass-Robinson: May need the run
7 DOUBLE ALLIANCE G S Kotzen: Rested, galloped and should run well
8 CARTEL CAPTAIN D R Drier: Competitive, first run as a gelding
- Comments by Phumelela Publishing
