A nationally representative high class field lines up in today’s R1 million Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas. With a welcome switch to the Kenilworth summer course and the historical dominance of favourites, this classic clash promises plenty – and a shuffling of the pretenders to early championship status.
It’s early days yet. There is plenty of water to flow under the bridge – but this is the one everybody wants to win.
Top-rated Querari Falcon must go close
All of our top 3yo fillies are in Saturday’s line-up with two of the Joburg visitors in Querari Falcon and She’s A Giver joint top rated.
With a few form reversals already experienced in the cross collaterals, it will be a fascinating race to unravel.
The Gr1 Thekwini winner Querari Falcon looks to have the draw and a top rider in her favour to ease the uncertainty of her first Cape outing.
The daughter of Querari has run two good races this term.
First time up she beat Negroamaro in receipt of 3kgs. Fair enough, Neogroamaro did not flatter that form with a dull run on Saturday, but Querari Falcon’s subsequent 0,40 length second to Tahini added some comfort, as Tahini finished under a half length behind Intergalactic in the Ipi Tombe on Saturday.
An interesting question mark has been raised against Querari Falcon’s rating after Fortissimus’ win on Saturday. She ran fifth 2,65 lengths back in the Thekwini and was given a 92 rating. Three unplaced runs saw her win off a 77 on Saturday!
But other than Dawn Calling unable to win in two starts since the Thekwini, both Sail and Safe Harbour have added some counter value in the interim.
Third in the Thekwini, Sail has run two Cape crackers.
Sail has proven consistent
She stormed home late in the Choice Carriers, when failing by 0,75 lengths to catch Ektifaa.
Next time she received 3kgs from Gr1 star The Secret Is Out and walloped her in a Conditions race.
Against Sail will be her wide draw.
Safe Harbour on the other hand took the Cape by storm when she rocketed up to catch and beat Sergeant Hardy in the Lanzerac Ready To Run Cup a fortnight back.
Well drawn and with Weichong Marwing up again, she must go very close to a top cheque – despite her rating suggesting otherwise.
She’s A Giver won the Starling Stakes in runaway style on Charity Mile day.
Starling Stakes winner Philanthropist
The daughter of Philanthropist has sadly pulled a wide draw but Gavin Lerena worked her last Wednesday on the track and she appeared to handle the left-handed turn.
The rough and tumble of a race from a 15 gate is a different story though and it would be a great pity not see this talented grey put her best foot forward.
Glen Kotzen may have pulled an ace out of the pack with the engagement of Piere Strydom to ride Final Judgement.
The Gr2 Golden Slipper winner is technically held by Querari Falcon but ran an excellent race when 0,30 lengths behind Sail in the Choice Carriers – when giving the Drier galloper a kilo.
Final Judgement failed at her only attempt at the mile, but has matured and should be a factor in the finish.
Final Judgement – will be ridden by Piere Strydom
Alec Laird’s Listed Devon Air Stakes winner Maleficent was beaten 3,75 lengths by Che’s A Giver in the Starling Stakes and is another who steps into unknown waters.
The daughter of Judpot should enjoy the long run in at Kenilworth as she has shown a tendency to take her time to find her stride.
Duncan Howells is in town with Trippi’s daughter, Dawn Calling.
After 9 runs she remains just a maiden winner, although her two seconds in the Thekwini and Golden Slipper show she is not far off the better ones.
Her six second places overall suggest she lacks the killer instinct and she is best included in quartets.
Visuality is the second of the Tarry runners.
She is drawn wide and has run two average races at her last two starts – both restricted sales races. She needs improvement.
Joey Ramsden saddles Listed Irridescence Stakes winner Captain Gambler and the exciting lightly tried Just Sensual.
Joey Ramsden’s Captain’s Gambler won the Irridescence
A beautifully bred daughter of Dynasty, Just Sensual has won her last two starts with ease and gets her chance in the big league with Anton Marcus aboard again.
She is drawn wide but we will have a better idea of how good she is after this.
Captain Gambler has the better draw but, while very consistent, she could be outgunned in this company.
The Australian-bred Quick Brown Fox has won both her starts with contemptuous ease.
The daughter of Foxwedge has beaten nothing but has shown a nice turn of foot and from a 1 draw she remains the major unknown in the field.
Lady Of The House is the second of the Brett Crawford runners.
On official ratings, this daughter of Dynasty has no chance with the top-rated feature proven performers. But she is lightly tried and progressive, and with further improvement could snare a place cheque.
Justin Snaith’s Red Light Girl led for a long way in the Choice Carriers, but jumped a patch late in the race and was knocked off her stride. She still managed to stay on for 2,15 lengths behind the winner.
This is her first try at the mile, but her dam won up to 1600m and she could get the trip.
Mike Robinson’s Smokey Affair won 2 from 4 before lining up in the Choice Carriers Championship – where she was slow away but ran on well for a 2 length fourth behind Ektifaa.
Saturday will be her acid test and with an 11 draw there might be some disappointment amongst her connections – but they do have one of the best riders to sort that little issue out.
Whose That Girl ran out of the money in the Choice Carriers and looks to have lots to do here.
There is an argument for and against most of the contenders.
The draws could also be the gamebreaker, with She’s A Giver looking to have a mountain to climb, while Querari Falcon will be in the box seat from the get go.
Then Sail has settled nicely and enjoyed a perfect prep. Safe Harbour was spectacular in the Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes.
Throw the unknowns of Just Sensual and Quick Brown Fox into the mix and it has all the makings of a great race. We can’t wait!
