Sports Coach was a narrowly beaten runner up in the 2010 Gr1 Gold Medallion.
Gr3 Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Durbanville on Sunday
With Gr3 events taking place in both Gauteng and the Western Cape, the season, in terms of our top horses, kicks off in fine style this weekend. The weight for age Matchem Stakes tops the bill in Cape Town and it is by no means as clear cut as the merit ratings would have us believe, writes Steve Furnish.
In form trainer Dean Kannemeyer saddles four of the runners and two of them are best in at the weights.
Splash Gold
Splash Gold is unbeaten in two starts at the country course.
The runner with the highest merit rating in the field is Splash Gold. A winner of seven of his thirteen starts to date, this son of Goldkeeper has only ventured beyond sprint distances once prior to today’s event, and in finishing just 4,5 lengths behind his very talented stable companion What A Winter over 1600m in the Gr2 Selangor Cup, he was far from disgraced. As with a number of the runners here Splash Gold returns from a bit of a break and another concern is that he was reported as not striding out when twelfth in the Mercury Sprint last time out. Usually one to run on stoutly from a little off them though, 1400m could well suit now and he is unbeaten in two starts at this circuit. He should be involved if all is now well.
Depardieu
One of just two 3yo’s in the race, Depardieu must also have strong claims if putting his best foot forward. After getting off the mark against winners on debut, this son of Dupont was finishing best of all when a runner up to Gimmethegreenlight in the listed Betting World 1200 in his next start and with that one having since finished in the frame in both the Gr1 Golden Horseshoe and Gr1 Premier’s Champions Stakes, his form is clearly very strong. Depardieu then came out and won the Gr3 Cape Nursery in his only subsequent start last season. As a result of those efforts Depardieu was heavily supported (15/10 into 13/20) when making his seasonal debut in the listed Sophomore Sprint last time out and as he moved into contention 400m out, he looked to be going best of all. He found little when the heat was turned on though and with nothing being reported to the stipes, one can only assume that he needed the run on his return from a four month break, or that he wasn’t suited by the heavy going. Either way, being well weighted with most, and well drawn to boot, Depardieu has to be a very serious contender here.
The Shark
The most lightly raced runner from the Kannemeyer stable is The Shark. This son of Kitalpha very quickly won two in a row after making a typically average debut and then took a big step up in class to contest the Gr2 Selangor Cup. The Shark overreached in that event though and was then off the track for six months. He won a graduation event in impressive fashion on his return to action in May and then after putting in a comparatively disappointing effort in the non-black type Durban Dash, he beat dual Guineas winner Solo Traveller when out at the weights. What is interesting here is that the going was soft in the Durban Dash and The Shark, a winner of four of his nine starts to date, is yet to find the winner’s enclosure in three outings in those conditions. As with Splash Gold and Depardieu, The Shark is unbeaten at the country course and setting off from a fair draw, he too must have a shout is ready.
Cypress Point
Making up Dean’s quartet is the Right Approach gelding Cypress Point. He won three in a row during the first half of last season and at that stage of his career it looked as if he would go on to better things. He was reported as not striding out when finishing down field in his next start though and as a result was then off the track for five months. His form has been a little in and out since his return, but it could well be that there is further improvement to come. He is taking a big step up in class here though and his stable mates, to name but three, must be preferred.
Run For It
In command of a very nice turn of foot on his day, Justin Snaith’s charge was a runner up in both the Gr1 Cape Guineas and the Gr1 Daily News last season. He was also third in the prestigious J&B Met. Other than his maiden success over 1200m in just his second career start though, this son of Dynasty has gained both of his wins over 1600m and he would ideally prefer further than today’s trip as the abovementioned top class performances would attest. He makes his seasonal debut here and no doubt has bigger targets in mind. He has made the frame in each of his two previous starts over 1400m though, and interestingly, the blinkers go on for the first time here.
Sports Coach
After cruising in by nine lengths on debut, this son of Jet Master contested the Gr1 Gold Medallion over 1200m at Scottsville in his first season and after making the running he was only picked off in the dying strides by the subsequent Gauteng Guineas winner Link Man. He was reported as making a respiratory noise in his only subsequent start during 2010 and was then not seen out until last month, where running on stoutly in heavy going, he was only beaten by the narrowest of margins. Sports Coach will no doubt have needed that outing and what catches the eye here, is that his partner in that event Karl Neisius stays with him, and he also rode all of Splash Gold, The Shark and Depardieu in their latest starts. This sharp Durbanville circuit is sure to suit Sports Coach, and he could yet prove to be anything.
Abington
A winner of two of his six previous starts at this circuit, Abington is as consistent as they come and fully deserved his recent win in a novice event over 1600m here last time out. He’s ran some tremendous races in defeat, most notably when placed in both the Natal Derby and Winter Guineas, and he did also finish sixth in this race last season. He has only managed just the two wins from 18 outings though, and out at the weights with the better ones here, a place once again looks to be his best hope.
Chrysalis
A winner of the non-black type Autumn Sand Sprint over 1200m at the Vaal back in March, Vaughan Marshall’s charge has gained three of his four career wins over 1400m, and he does appear to be at his best over today’s distance. He showed promise in his earlier efforts on turf and more than likely in need of the outing when racing on the surface for the first time since December two months ago, he is not easy to assess. He is taking a big step up in class here though, and out at the weights to boot, he is perhaps best just watched for now.
Master Barry
After a spell in the wilderness, Piet Steyn’s charge has been silently progressing very nicely in recent months. He does take a big step up in class and at the weights he clearly faces a very stiff task. He is unbeaten in two starts over today’s course and distance though and at his best from the front will no doubt try to steal it.
Cap Alright
As with Master Barry, Cap Alright is a strong front runner and setting off from pole position, he looks sure to be right there when the race begins in earnest. Justin Snaith’s charge has only managed to keep his head in front in two of his 24 outings against weaker though, what chance here?
Variety Club
Trainer Joey Ramsden has a very good record at this Durbanville circuit and Variety Club, his sole representative here, certainly has strong claims. Another who enjoys racing up with the speed, this son of Var won on his only previous visit here. He was giving Depardieu 2kg when only a length and a quarter behind that one in the Somerset 1200 back in April and he has since shown his class by winning the Gr3 Langerman. The 3yo Variety Club comes off a bit of a break here and that has to be a concern. He could still improve considerably if ready though, and very well treated at the weights, he should be right there if ready.
About The Pace
With a number of candidates for the role of front runner at this sharp circuit the pace is sure to be on. Question marks are aplenty and that makes this race much more open than it would appear at first glance. Dean’s big three, Variety Club and Sports Coach look the most likely to fight it out on the day with my preference marginally being for the latter.
