The fairer sex filled the top three places in the 2018 renewal of the Listed Racing Association Stakes. The girls’ class of 2019 look to have a tough task to emulate that vintage with some serious big gun visiting males from the Cape in the mix.
The race is restricted to 3yo’s with penalties for Gr1 wins (4kg), Gr2 (3kg), Gr3 (2kg) and Listed (1kg).
Glen Kotzen – form stable
Paarl-based Glen Kotzen has the best recent record in this event, with a 60% win strike-rate over the past five years. He and hard-working stable Jockey Morne Winnaar travel up the Garden Route with the progressive Oratorio gelding, Viva Rio – a winner of his last two starts.
His last win was eyecatching, when getting up to beat the highly regarded Sir Michael in an MR 78 at Durbanville.
While the latter had no luck next time, the Gold Star Stud bred gelding is in prime form and well drawn.
Also travelling are Vaughan Marshall’s Cane Lime ‘N Soda, Brett Crawford’s Super Silvano and the Snaith’s Stopalltheclocks.
The Cape form and scope for plenty of improvement, makes a direct analysis of official ratings against weight a touch complicated. An 8,50 length maiden winner, Cane Lime ‘n Soda has shown a potentially top-class turn of foot, winning two of his five starts in good fashion. This is his first exposure in stakes company.
Super Silvano took a while to register a second win, but did it convincingly at Durbanville a fortnight back when getting up to beat Hurricane Harry in an MR 78 – despite a slipped saddle.
Recent maiden winner Stopalltheclocks steps up to a mile. He will need to show more to challenge.
Smart local Foreign Source – goes for four on the trot (Pic – Pauline Herman)
The top-notch joint topweighted hometown hope Foreign Source goes for a fourth victory on the trot. The son of Bold Silvano will be tested by the visitors but has the homeground advantage and looks a Cape Guineas prospect at this stage.
Conqueror of Foreign Source in the Dahlia Plate, Hooves Of Troy has his first run since gelded and steps up to the mile. He may just need the run as it is his first outing since going down third (1,25 lengths) behind the highly vaunted African Warrior in the KZN Yearling Sale Million at Greyville last term.
Hooves Of Troy – may just need it (Pic – Pauline Herman)
Highest rated of the girls, Scarborough Fair bids to give trainer Sharon Kotzen the rare achievement of a consecutive fairer sex win in the race. The daughter of Capetown Noir has been a consistent earner and, but for her wide draw, has every chance for a big showing. She has shown she can mix it with the males.
The major centre stakes-placed Brandina started her 3yo term on a high with a good win on the polytrack last time up. She has shown good ability and is another who could challenge for the places from her pole position gate.
Alan Greeff – saddles a trio
Allan Greeff’s Lady’s Slipper winner Luna Wish has been a veritable model of consistency and must have a massive shout from her decent 2 draw.
Second of the Sharon Kotzen runners, Mistress Of Means is held by Brandina on her last run.
Summerveld trainer Nathan Kotzen saddles Justfortheepenny – his first PE feature race runner. The son of Just As Well won his Hollywoodbets Scottsville maiden at long odds at his second start, but failed to follow up next time.
False rail – 3m off zero to the 1200m mark, increasing to 4m to the 800m mark with a 5m spur
A tough and interestingly competitive race. The SP top-rated Foreign Source has proven his credentials and should enjoy the mile. Cane Lime ‘N Soda and Viva Rio look the dangers.
