Weight-for-age Group racing has been around for 150 years already. Big money sales races for not quite as long. The third running of the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes at Kenilworth today may thus lack for genuine tradition – but the race more than makes up for it with the size of the cheque and plenty of competitive excitement amongst connections.
Seventh Plain – should win if he overcomes the draw
While KZN champion trainer Dennis Drier and the powerful Jooste racing team will disagree, there may have been some bizarre divine intervention, with their dual Gr1 winner Seventh Plain pulling an 18 draw.
Given the Equus champion son of Seventh Rock’s track record, he looks to have them cold and the draw will just serve as an unofficial handicap of sorts – and a balancing of the equation.
And with the recent display by Silver Mountain and Aldo Domeyer in the Gr2 Choice Carriers Championship, the draw can really just be just a number, when one sends out a top horse and top jockey.
Seventh Plain is being aimed at the Cape Guineas and the CTS Million Dollar, so match fitness may also be against him – but he has looked top drawer so far, and may be good enough despite that.
Andrew Fortune – rides Captain Chaos
Andrew Fortune has been engaged to ride Cape Of Good Hope Nursery winner, Captain Chaos.
He will have a few lengths over his chief adversary from the 2 draw and Ronnie Sheehan and his owners will be rightfully believing that they can beat the KZN hotshot.
Gr2 Graham Beck Stakes runner-up Liege is the Sean Tarry runner. The son of Dynasty chased Muwaary home on Charity Mile day and has done little wrong in his four starts – but his draw will not help him at his first Cape start.
The Stone Thrower is the second of the five Jooste runners.
The Stone Thrower
Joey Ramsden’s charge messed about last time in the stalls when having to have his bridle refitted and then fly-jumping.
He nevertheless ran a flying second in his prep – and if one ignore his Magnum Cape Classic run, he could challenge and change the Ramsden luck – after two seconds in this race in the first two years
Gavin Van Zyl trains Budapest
Gavin Van Zyl travels to Cape Town with recent Greyville polytrack maiden winner Budapest.
The stable will want to erase the experience of their last excursion to these parts, but have the advantages of a fit horse, a good draw – and a top jockey in Anthony Delpech.
There is plenty of tote talk for the Bezrin colt Dragon Flame.
The Glen Kotzen charge has run 3 decent races and just failed in senior company over the course and distance last time out. He will strip fit and well, and a win here could earn him the freedom of Paarl!
Grant Van Niekerk – rides Elysian Gold
Jockey Grant Van Niekerk made the choice to ride Elysian Park of the Bass trio.
The son of Judpot has the pole position draw and was backed to win his last start in the Eastern Cape. He did not disappoint his followers.
Bass assistant Candice Robinson suggested that Elysian Park’s prep has been better than Jet Air, although the latter is the ‘better horse’.
Jet Air was slightly disappointing in the KZN Champions Season.
Vaughan Marshall’s promising Warm White Night colt Kemal Kavur returns from a runner-up spot in a PE feature last month. He has a wide draw to beat, but looks to be the sort who could go up and make the running.
He must have a place chance if things go his way.
Gelding seems to have made all the difference to recent maiden winner Midnight Zone.
While narrowly beaten by The Stone Thrower a fortnight ago, he appears to be looking for the trip – but has a draw of major proportions to overcome.
Anglet – promising daughter of Biarritz
Listed Irridescence Stakes winner Anglet is the top-rated of five members of the fairer sex – who frankly look to be outgunned by the males. The daughter of Biarritz had excellent 2yo form and may be going through a phase of growth.
Another who was well beaten behind Silver Mountain in the Choice Carriers Championship is stakes winner My Emblem .
Eric Sands’ daughter of National Emblem has had a few hard-luck stories along the way and is likely to enjoy the 1400m.
Just Felicity has had no joy with the draws and had it all to do when drawn 14 of 15 in the Choice Carriers Championship.
While well beaten there, trainer Greg Ennion is a top equine strategist, and he will have her fit and well.
Justin Snaith – ‘hard for us’
Nordic Wind represents the Snaith yard and her trainer admitted at the draw ceremony that it was ‘going to be hard for us’.
Drawn wide, she bumps the males for the first time and her trainer indicated that he was happy that stakes were being paid all the way down to tenth position.
Brett Crawford’s poor luck at the barrier draw continued with Silver Banshee starting at 16. She goes beyond the sprints for the first time and cannot be fancied to beat the boys.
Waity Katie is the third of the Bass trio. The daughter of Jay Peg won well against her own sex over the course and distance last time, but would surely have to start on Friday to beat a performer of Seventh Plain’s class and proven ability.
There is no substitute for class. 75% fit, Seventh Plain is the choice to confirm his champion status.
There will be a mad rush for the minor money – and joy for the hard luck merchants that stakes go all the way down to tenth position!
