While all the Hollywoodbets Cape Met ante-post money prior to the running of the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate on Saturday was for Belgarion, who had steadily shortened in, the two day royal festival has changed the complexion of the big race betting.
Click here to see all the odds
Belgarion ran third in Saturday’s feature, but should strip a far bigger threat over the 2000m of the Cape Met on Saturday 30 January.
Rainbow Bridge – shortens after workmanlike second in L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“After Saturday we shortened Paddock Stakes dual winner Queen Supreme in to 8-1, and the possibility is that she could still opt for the Majorca ahead of the Met. Also shortening were stablemates Rainbow Bridge and Golden Ducat, as well as Do It Again, who ran fourth in the Queen’s Plate. Paul Peter’s Summer Pudding was drifted out to 11-2, although I think a line can possibly be drawn through her run as a vet exam after her unplaced run showed she had mucous on her lungs and was coughing. The biggest shorteners were Premier Trophy placers African Night Sky and stablemate Sachdev into 25’s,” Hollywoodbets spokesman Patrick Bradley summed up matters to the Sporting Post on Sunday morning.
Open to horses at Weight For Age
WFA: 3yrs-6kgs 4yrs-0.5kgs
No Apprentice Allowance
| 0 | Rainbow Bridge | (6G) | 0 | 134 | A | Eric Sands | |
| 0 | Do It Again | Accepted | (6G) | 0 | 133 | A | Justin Snaith |
| 0 | Belgarion | Accepted | (5G) | 0 | 130 | A | Justin Snaith |
| 0 | Summer Pudding | (4F) | 0 | 129 | A | Paul Peter | |
| 0 | Golden Ducat | (4G) | 0 | 128 | A | Eric Sands | |
| 0 | Cirillo | (5H) | 0 | 126 | A | Sean Tarry | |
| 0 | Queen Supreme (IRE) | (5M) | 0 | 126 | A | Mike de Kock | |
| 0 | African Night Sky | Accepted | (7G) | 0 | 120 | A | Justin Snaith |
| 0 | Running Brave | (5M) | 0 | 119 | A | Paul Matchett | |
| 0 | Capoeira | (5G) | 0 | 115 | BA | Andre Nel | |
| 0 | Malmoos | (3C) | 0 | 114 | A | Mike de Kock | |
| 0 | Nexus | (5G) | 0 | 113 | A | Justin Snaith | |
| 0 | Hudoo Magic (AUS) | (5G) | 0 | 110 | A | Brett Crawford | |
| 0 | King Of Gems | (4C) | 0 | 109 | AT | Brett Crawford | |
| 0 | Silver Operator | (4C) | 0 | 109 | A | Vaughan Marshall | |
| 0 | Sachdev | (4G) | 0 | 108 | A | Justin Snaith | |
| 0 | Silvano’s Timer | (3G) | 0 | 108 | A | Dean Kannemeyer | |
| 0 | Majestic Mozart | (5G) | 0 | 107 | A | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
| 0 | Sovereign Spirit | (5G) | 0 | 106 | BA | Candice Bass-Robinson | |
| 0 | Seventh Gear | (4G) | 0 | 103 | A | Dean Kannemeyer | |
| 0 | Super Silvano | (4C) | 0 | 102 | A | Brett Crawford | |
| 0 | Azores | (4G) | 0 | 101 | A | Dean Kannemeyer | |
| 0 | Captain Of Stealth | (4C) | 0 | 101 | A | Vaughan Marshall | |
| 0 | Baby Shooz | (4G) | 0 | 97 | AT | Peter Muscutt | |
| 0 | Sir Michael | (4G) | 0 | 97 | A | Dean Kannemeyer | |
| (25) | |||||||
Caught the eye on Saturday – African Night Sky (photo: Wayne Marks)
There were a number of Cape Met entries that enjoyed an appearance at the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Festival this past weekend.
- African Night Sky
While his last win was in the 2018 Cup Trial, the Cape Winter Series star finished under a length off Golden Ducat in the Premier Trophy after a troubled passage over the final 400m of Saturday’s feature. This would be the comeback of the decade!
- Azores
Was prominent for a long way in the Chairman’s Cup when beaten 2,30 lengths into third by Silver Host.
- Belgarion
Beaten for the first time in seven starts when 1,30 lengths behind stablemate Jet Dark in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate. A bit flat-footed late, but the 2000m is more up his alley.
- Capoeira
Ran on well for second under 60,5kgs in a Progress Plate behind Love Happens at Kenilworth on Friday.
- Cirillo
Rare quiet effort when beaten with every chance into fifth and 3,25 lengths off Jet Dark in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate. Best run over ground was quarter length third behind Golden Ducat in 1800m Gr1 Champions Cup in August. Yet to be tried over 2000m.
- Do It Again
Beaten 2,50 lengths into fourth behind Jet Dark in L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate in first start in four months on Saturday. Stable was bullish about form return.
Golden Ducat caught the eye when beating Sachdev – trainer suggest improvement to come (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
- Golden Ducat
Rallied well after making pace in Gr2 Glorious Goodwood Premier Trophy to beat Sachdev by 0,2 lengths. Sachdev, rated 107, received 2kgs from MR 128 rated Golden Ducat. But race not run to suit winner and trainer Eric Sands says he will be a different horse on Met day.
- Hudoo Magic (AUS)
Never showed when beaten 6,10 lengths in Premier Trophy. Two home starts since successful Joburg campaign have not been great.
- King Of Gems
Ran a fair four length fourth behind Kasimir in a Pinnacle Stakes over a too short 1200m on Saturday. Hasn’t won in ages.
- Majestic Mozart
Ran a 2,05 fifth behind Love Happens on Friday. Last win was a Pinnacle at Durbanville three months ago.
- Nexus
Was fancied after his sensational Peninsula Handicap victory to go close again in the Premier Trophy on Saturday. But the pace didn’t suit his style and he was beaten 2,55 lengths into fifth. Worth another chance.
- Queen Supreme (IRE)
Scored a sensational back-to-back Gr1 Paddock Stakes victory on Saturday. Trainer Mike de Kock declared that was her main mission. So Met bid is uncertain and we could even see her in Majorca on Met day.
- Rainbow Bridge
Appeared to have every chance when beaten 0,75 lengths by Jet Dark in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate on Saturday. Prep for Met looks good on paper.
- Sachdev
Ran out of his skin when beaten 0,20 lengths by determined Golden Ducat in Premier Trophy. The way the race was run may have flattered him. Last win and career peak was an MR 82 Handicap over 1200m at Kenilworth in September 2019.
- Seventh Gear
Does he stay or doesn’t he? After a reasonable Peninsula Handicap fourth-placed effort (beaten 1,70 lengths) didn’t seem to go the 2500m of the Chairman’s Cup on Saturday when beaten almost 8 lengths.
- Silver Operator
Beaten 3,65 lengths in L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate on Saturday. No evidence he will stay 2000m of Met.
- Sir Michael
Failed to show last two starts and overraced when beaten 10 lengths by Love Happens on Friday.
- Sovereign Spirit
2020 Durban July Consolation winner. Outclassed in L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate when beaten just under 6 lengths with no show.
Summer Pudding – not her run on Saturday and veterinary evidence suggests we put a line through it (Pic – JC Photos)
- Summer Pudding
After a glorious nine-run winning streak, the Gauteng star was beaten almost 5 lengths in the Paddock Stakes after failing to kick. Mucous and coughing was detected afterwards, so the run could best be ignored
- Super Silvano
Ran a meritorious 2,45 length fourth to Golden Ducat in the Premier Trophy on Saturday. Has had a fair prep into the Met but could struggle to assert against the top five.
The Cape Met final supplementary entries are due by 11h00 on Monday.
The weights will be published same day.
Declarations are due by 11h00 on Wednesday 20 January.
There are no splashy functions this year – the barrier draws will be generated as for most other races run throughout the year – in an electronic format by the NRB.
