Former trainer Mitch Wiese and owner-breeder Albert Boshoff teamed up in 2009 to win the Gr3 East Cape Derby with the then relatively unknown Lizard’s Desire.
A decade later, Wiese remains the last local trainer to raise the cup with Cape raiders having cleaned up in the ensuing years.
Vaughan Marshall’s Desert Swirl outstays opposition to win the East Cape Derby in 2014
It’s been a long cold lonely winter in some respects for the locals – although the outstanding Lizard’s Desire, who was ridden by S’manga Khumalo to win the Derby, carried the PE flag with great pride on the world stage. He would go to be pipped in the Dubai World Cup under the Mike de Kock banner before exacting sweet revenge over his conquerer Gloria De Campeao to win the Gr1 Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji in Singapore a few months later in that memorable 2010 season.
The Cape is represented by five runners today in a race now ranked Listed, with Justin Snaith (3 Derby’s in the past ten years) leading Vaughan Marshall and Joey Ramsden on two apiece. The latter duo do not have runners this year.
But that’s all history and a brand new day dawns with 14 runners facing the start just before 16h00 on Saturday.
Cedar Man – Gold Cup is his target (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Greg Ennion has high regard for his charge Cedar Man, who is also the highest rated galloper in the field. The son of Pomodoro, who will go on to KZN for the SA Champions Season, has his first run at Fairview but has the form to back his winning claims. With two close-up seconds at his last two starts he is set to go very close under Gavin Lerena. Greg Ennion tells us more here – including that his charge put up winning work earlier this week.
His major threat appears to be Brett Crawford’s St Vladimir, who is held by Cedar Man on their last clash. A classy looking son of Fort Wood, St Vladimir reeled off three wins on the trot before blotting his copybook at his last start. He tries the 2400m for the first time.
Local filly Just Chaos – very game but this is tough (Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)
The only filly in the race, the well-travelled Just Chaos was a bit one-paced late in the East Cape Oaks at her last start – but is all heart and has won 4 of her 11 starts. She looks likely to stay the trip and must have place prospects.
Sailing Lizard travels from the Cape West Coast and carries the Plattner Racing flag. The son of Sail From Seattle gets the blinkers first time and will be ridden by the in-form Bernard Fayd’herbe. He may have needed his last start and prior to that was just over 6 lengths off Atyaab in the Cape Derby. He was a fair fourth behind Friday evening’s KRA Guineas winner Twist Of Fate in the Politician Stakes – so isn’t without hope.
The former Alec Laird trained Drop Kick showed fair ability up in Gauteng , including a smart win in the Egoli Mile. The son of Judpot has shown fair enthusiasm at his two starts here for Grant Paddock and could be ready to run a big race – although held by In A Perfect World.
Former Gauteng based Drop Kick (Pic – JC Photos)
His stablemate Country Rock has been threatening for some time to register his second win and could be dangerous if he stays on. He interestingly won his maiden over 1200m in the Cape but has been running on as if he is crying our for more. A dark horse, maybe?
One of the major local hopes, In A Perfect World has won his last two starts and really appeared to enjoy the 2000m last time when winning with some authority. He would need to improve a lot to match the Cape’s top two, though.
Justin Snaith’s Swift Surprise is an interesting candidate. He may not have the exposed form of his hometown contemporaries but has improved steadily as he has tried a trip and has run on well at his recent starts. The jockey-trainer combination, together with the regard in which they hold their unexposed son of Twice Over, suggest that we can ignore the official ratings and include this one in all bets.
Candice Bass-Robinson has won this before (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Candice Bass-Robinson won this race in 2017 with Dorset Noble and saddles Ideal World’s gelded son, Mercurana. The one-time winner is a half-brother to the stable’s Vodacom Durban July winner Marinaresco and is bred to go the trip. But he has not quite shown the signs yet.
Jay’s Hawk has only won on the polytrack and is well held by In A Perfect World on his last run.
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First of the Gavin Smith trio, Tom ‘N Jerry hasn’t shown signs yet of being a likely Derby winner and is drawn widest of the lot.
A one-time winner, Wildcat looks an optimistic entry and tries the trip for the first time. He won his maiden over 1400m – so is difficult to assess.
Third of the Gavin Smith runners and still a maiden, Brigadoon Ely will be partnered by S’manga Khumalo who was aboard Lizard’s Desire all those years ago. A lightly raced son of Ideal World, he could be anything stepping up from the mile to the 2400m.
Jacques Strydom knows how to get the stayers fit and he saddles Cape Leopard. The son of The Apache won his maiden over 2200m on the all-weather, so obviously stays. But his form suggests that he could struggle against the stronger visitors.
We have to ride the Greg Ennion confidence and side with Cedar Man to confirm his status as a decent up-and-coming young stayer. St Vladimir and Drop Kick could be the main dangers – while In A Perfect World hails from a top local yard
