The Place Accumulator opener on WSB Cape Town Met Day is the third (13h00), the Tsogo Sun Gr3 Summer Fling Stakes.
Saartjie (Corne Orffer) – gets the blinkers fitted on Saturday (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Apart from Lucinda Woodruff’s progressive 3YO filly, Omikami (11) who leaps from lower class races into this Gr3, the relatively compressed weights for the Summer Fling Stakes over 2000m mean that the winner should be one of the best on pure ability. That immediately narrows things down to Rainbow Lorikeet (7) and Saartjie (2).
Saartjie has missed narrowly at Gr2 level on a few occasions, whilst Rainbow Lorikeet ran four lengths off Double Grand Slam in the Gr1 Paddock Stakes earlier this month. So, they fit properly on class assessment and have the best speed figures, too.
Saartjie gets blinkers fitted after a disappointing flop in the Paddock Stakes. Prior to that she was consistent and a steadily paced 2000m, should suit her just fine.
Rainbow Lorikeet is in the form of her life this summer and seems bound to run well, yet again.
Lorenzo Karriem’s Joburg invader, Indian Ocean (10) is intriguing. Her best figures over ground stack up nicely against these rivals, and “Striker’ Strydom has won all three times he’s ridden The United States mare, who goes best handy.
It seems only Time for Love (3) Omikami and Gimmethatpearl (a hat-trick seeking front-runner, stretching out) can subject her to pace pressure. Strydom, a maestro at judging the sections, may choose to lead, or else get a comfortable tow on his mount, who has no stamina doubts.
Lickety Split (4) is a winner of four of her past seven starts producing some nice finishes against weaker fields and now moves into deeper waters.
Joy and Peace (6) represent the potent Alan Greeff/ Richard Fourie duo who strike at a 34% win and 65% place rate at Fairview. They are now playing “away from home” where the oppo is stronger. The race will show if her sky- high OMR earned in Gqeberha is justified.
Fatal Gem (5) has a similar speed figure rating to Joy and Peace, which in turn is shared by Gimmethatpearl (1) who has won half her eight starts, and pace factor, Time for Love (3). The latter is better off at the weights with a few on past performances but must boost her finish to ward off the stretch runners.
Gold Poker Game (9) rates slightly higher on the speed scores and has place claims on her penultimate in the Victress Stakes, plus she relishes this distance. But stable mate Rainbow Lorikeet has a more appealing overall profile and is selected to duke it out with Saartjie.
Indian Ocean is respected due to Strydom’s guile.
