The R1,5 million SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby to be run on Saturday 22 February has now attracted 12 entries after the deadline was extended 24 hours after only 7 entries were received for the prestigious classic on Monday morning.
Richard Fourie and Pomp And Power win the classic for Justin Snaith in 2022 (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Justin Snaith has won the Cape Derby four times, dating back to his maiden success in the classic with Russian Sage in 2008 and his most recent being Pomp And Power in 2022. The SA champion conditioner has 5 of the 12 entries, headed by recent WSB Cape Town Met winner Eight On Eighteen.
SA champion jockey Richard Fourie has been aboard 3 of the 4 Snaith Cape Derby winners and is likely to partner the 127-rated Eight On Eighteen, should the Jonsson galloper take his place.
While her famous Dad saddled 2006 winner Floatyour boat, Candice Bass-Robinson is looking for her first Cape Derby success and has two entries, including the only filly in Scarlet Macaw.
This century Vaughan Marshall saddled Linebacker to win in 2021 and 2011 champion, Top Seller.
The Milnerton veteran’s dual Grade 1 winner One Stripe is the top-rated entrant at 132, but it is not clear whether he will take this route into the Big Cap on 16 March.
While Dean Kannemeyer routed the 6yo Gimme A Prince via the mile of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate back down to win the 1000m HKJC World Cape Flying Championship, it could be a different challenge for a 3yo stepping up from the mile to 2000m, and then back to 1400m in under a month.
Supplementary entries are due on Friday, and then we look forward to the final field on Monday 17 February.
SplashOut CAPE DERBY (Grade 1)
For 3-year-oldsNo Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 3 | One Stripe | (3C) | 60 | 132 | A | Vaughan Marshall | |
| 4 | Eight On Eighteen | (3C) | 60 | 127 | A | Justin Snaith | |
| 7 | Sail The Seas | Accepted | (3C) | 60 | 103 | A | Justin Snaith |
| 2 | Garrix | (3C) | 60 | 97 | A | Piet Steyn | |
| 11 | Zeitz | (3C) | 60 | 97 | BA | Andre Nel | |
| 5 | Dawn Till Dusk | Accepted | (3G) | 60 | 93 | A | Justin Snaith |
| 12 | Native Ruler | (3G) | 60 | 91 | A | Justin Snaith | |
| 10 | Major Master | (3C) | 60 | 88 | A | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
| 9 | Express Yourself | (3G) | 60 | 86 | AT | Justin Snaith | |
| 8 | Tenpenny | (3G) | 60 | 84 | A | Patrick Kruyer | |
| 6 | Commander Green | (3G) | 60 | 83 | A | BJ Crawford/JI Crawford | |
| 1 | Scarlet Macaw | (3F) | 57.5 | 111 | A | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
| (12) | |||||||
