The 2020 renewal of the R1 million Bidvest Gr1 Majorca Stakes on Saturday has all the makings of a vintage clash of the smart girls.
The late Terrance Millard made this race his own in the previous century, winning it seven times, and also celebrated a double with the Ben and Heather Braam’s Peacable Kingdom filly Fast Piece – the Majorca winner in 1976 and 1977. Millard’s first winner was Kentucky Belle in 1972 and he rounded off a golden era with Olympic Duel in 1990.
The Drakenstein owned and bred Inara also achieved a Majorca double in 2015 and 2016.
Clouds Unfold wins the Majorca last season – can she do it again? (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Running in the same silks, Clouds Unfold looks to emulate her.
She looked star material as a 3yo and duly achieved the distinction of winning this race last year when beating the very accomplished Lady In Black. Things went wrong at Summerveld last season and she never stepped out during the SA Champions Season. Her two runs as a 4yo have indicated though that she could be coming back to something of her better self and she ran on steadily to be beaten by 2,5 lengths by Celtic Sea in the Sceptre Stakes last time. She has a wide draw to beat on Saturday but is a serious contender.
Top-class over 1200m to a mile – Celtic Sea (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The top -class Celtic Sea’s presence in this field after a good win over the sprints last time is an endorsement of confidence by her trainer who tended to be leaning towards sticking to the shorter game. This will be her first try over the course and distance in the Cape, but she is the class filly and in prime form – and the horse to beat.
Brett Crawford’s Cape Fillies Guineas winner Front And Centre looked dangerous in the final stages of the Paddock Stakes, but hit a flat spot and was beaten just under 3 lengths by Queen Supreme. She drops back to the mile and will have every opportunity of turning the tables.
Queen Supreme – a lot of people’s idea as a Pick 6 banker (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Mike de Kock’s Irish-bred Queen Supreme caught the world’s attention when storming to victory in the Paddock Stakes a matter of weeks ago. That was an excellent step up from her Summer Cup fourth and she was even spoken about as a possible Sun Met candidate.
She is clearly the filly with the most upward potential at this point and, despite the fact that she is six months behind her local contemporaries, she could safely make it a Gr1 double here.
Candice-Bass Robinson’s Santa Clara has proven to be a bit disappointing this season and looks held by the likes of Front And Centre and Queen Supreme on recent form. Her wide draw will not assist her chances and she cannot be fancied with any confidence.
Ridgemont Racing and Brett Crawford’s second string, Kelpie, has drawn against the paint and looks to improve again on her half-length third to Principesa in the Jamaica Handicap. Her earlier form suggests that the mile is her top game.
Heading the Snaith attack, last season’s Woolavington winner Silvano’s Pride looks to be part of the forward charge in a race loaded with pace. She looks held by Queen Supreme on her Paddock Stakes third, but is a another that will be tuned to the moment on the day.
Silvano’s pride – to be ridden with more restrain (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Her stablemate, the talented Miyabi Gold should also be right at peak fitness, after her three lead-in runs into this race. She was hampered when a 2,7 length fourth behind Queen Supreme in the Paddock Stakes last time. She is 1kg better off with Mike De Kock’s progressive 4yo – but will that be enough to turn the tables?
Paul Reeves’ very game Helen’s Ideal is likely to be in the mix in the final stages as she is a big-hearted galloper who likes to be up there. She must have a minor place chance if things go her way.
First of the Kotzen duo, Temple Grafin, was disappointing in the Sceptre Stakes when dropping out to almost 10 lengths behind Celtic Sea. Her form suggests she is well held by the Tarry star, but she certainly has a quartet chance at her best.
The second of only two 3yo’s in the line-up, Glen Kotzen’s Third Runway has pulled a wretched draw at 12 and, while very game, looks stretched at a mile. That said, her form is difficult to fault and she strips fit on the big day.
Star Fighter is the third of the Candice Bass-Robinson trio and on paper the daughter of Argonaut appears outgunned in this company.
Sleeping Single is the third of the Snaith trio and gets the value-added services of top jock, Piere Strydom. The UK-bred daughter of Australia has maintained a superbly consistent form line against weaker but faces her biggest test at unfavourable weight conditions.
The Dennis Drier trained Stelvio has pulled a perfect draw at 2, but the daughter of Pathfork’s recent form hardly inspires confidence. Her trainer knows what it takes to win a race like this and it is interesting to see him throw her in at the deep end.
Queen Supreme’s clash with Celtic Sea and Front And Centre, together with defending champion Clouds Unfold in the mix, is mouthwatering stuff. De Kock suggested Queen Supreme was Gr1 material earlier on – she could double that on Saturday and even realise hopes to send her to the USA.
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