Zambezi River – big runner now
They have come from near and far and in all shapes and sizes to bid for a big payday in Saturday’s R1 million Cape Thoroughbred Sales Stakes run over 1200m at Kenilworth. Most of the field frankly look to be making up numbers against the big guns. But if you haven’t got a ticket, they’re never going to call your name.
These sale restricted races are a big bucks bonanza and a major incentive for prospective buyers, big and small, to push the envelope and stretch the overdraft limit and the bounds of sanity when it comes to going all the way to acquiring that lifechanging dream.
Frequent Flyers
Corne Spies – travels from afar
With prize money of R15 000 paid for tenth position, it is also not surprising to see the likes of the less frequent flyers like Joburgers Corne Spies and Dominic Zaki hitting the high road for the bright lights of Cape Town.
Interestingly Zaki is one of six different trainers saddling eight horses in this race in which top SA owners Ingrid and Markus Jooste have an interest. That illustrates the extent of the balance of the Jooste power.
With the shock late withdrawal of top-rated Kingvoldt, the race is now wide open.
Great Season
Joey Ramsden – finds the champions and has had a great season
The former Cape champion trainer Joey Ramsden has had a glorious feature season and he saddles Brutal Force and Stem In Die Bos.
Fast
Ready To Run Stakes winner Zambezi River can bounce back after Guineas lull
Dominic Zaki’s Captain Al colt Precursor(106) is very fast but has registered 3 of his 4 wins on sand and has his first jump in the Cape.
He has been here for a few weeks already with Dennis Drier and his presence certainly creates great interest.
Sean Tarry’s Zambezi River(101) ran a rather flat race in the Cape Guineas when missing the place money but won his first three very well and could bounce back if he doesn’t dilly dally too much early on.
Corne Spies is a welcome visitor with the Sail From Seattle colt, Captured Wind(98).
The Ascot Stud product has won 2 from 4 and is very fast, but untested at feature level. His rating suggests that he could place if at best.
Forceful
Brutal Force – don’t write him off – and Strydom rides
Now Ramsden major runner, the Western Winter colt Brutal Force(90), could enjoy Piere Strydom’s strong handling.
He ran a disappointing race in the Guineas, but has Piere Strydom aboard and cannot be written off on his Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes run.
Mike Bass’ Equity Kicker(90) is a fast improving son of Trippi.
He has won 3 of his last 4 starts, last time beating a hard knocking bunch of older horses in a Pinnacle Plate. He should be eminently suited to the 1200m and is surely better than rated.
The second of the Sean Tarry runners is the Klawervlei bred Silence Descends(84).
A winner of 2 of his 10 starts, he won a cracker a fortnight ago against weaker at Turffontein, but appears to have some serious ground to make up.
Captain’s Choice
Justin Snaith’s Captain Blackwater(81) won his maiden over Saturday’s course and distance by 7 lengths but then disappointed when running unplaced in a lower handicap around the turn.
Joey Ramsden’s Trippi gelding Stem In Die Bos(76) finally shed his maiden in a weak looking race last time out and looks outclassed.
The same applies to the Mike Bass runner, Kilrain(75), who is sure to be wanting more ground.
Fairer Sex
Beloved Country – joint highest rated female
Alexis(97) and Beloved Country(97) are the two joint highest rated of the fairer sex.
The Listed Devon Air Stakes winner Beloved Country will be ridden by Anton Marcus and the daughter of Trippi has her first run outside of her home base of KZN.
The speedy Klawervlei Stud bred flyer will be right on top of them if not needing the outing after a seven week break.
Brett Crawford’s Alexis failed in her previous Ready To Run Stakes race but has won 3 of her 5 starts and is a multiple course and distance winner.
The remainder of the fillies have plenty to do.
Lots To Do
Richard Fourie rides Azarenka
Richard Fourie rides Azarenka(90) in preference to Captain Blackwater (we so assume) and the daughter of Windrush improved nicely at her last start over the course and distance.
She still has plenty to do as does her stablemate Sunset Tripp(84), who does have an excellent third behind Zambezi River to her credit in the big money Lanzerac race in November.
Spanish Dawn(84) is the third of the Tarry trio and ran a fair third to Dingaans winner Unpralleled in her prep last time. She has done little wrong at her two career starts but is very difficult to assess here.
She did, however, beat Mike Azzie’s good colt General Misty on debut and then ran Dingaans winner Unparalleled to 2,75 lengths at Turffontein last time.
Terrific Form
Zambezi River and Equity Kicker look to be the top two after Kingvoldt crying off. Ramsden suggested we don’t discard Stem In Die Boss. But Brutal Force looks best of his two in our book.
