Looks unstoppable – the J&B Met Pick 6 banker Cold As Ice
“I am not sure that she even needs to stay the mile to win this.” The words of straightshooting trainer Joey Ramsden when commenting on the cruising speed capabilities of his flying Western Winter filly Cold As Ice as she bids for a career first Gr1 win in today’s R1 million Klawervlei Majorca Stakes.
Joey Ramsden – set for a good day
Alongside her highly vaunted stablemate Act Of War, Cold As Ice has been the talking 3yo of the Cape Summer Of Champions.
The thing is it hasn’t only been talk. She has reeled off five consecutive wins from 6 starts from 1100m to 1400m-her victories including two Gr2’s and only inexperience actually beat her on debut.
We don’t know yet whether she goes the mile. Her clash with Mike De Kock’s champion Majmu failed to materialise after a starting stall incident at the start of the Avontuur Cape Fillies Guineas led to Cold As Ice being withdrawn.
“I am not comparing her to Variety Club, but there are similarities with that deadly early cruising speed. She has the ability to get them off the bit early and we don’t even know yet what she is capable of, if being switched off early. We have the perfect man aboard in Piere Strydom too. I am really not being arrogant when I say that I wonder about her need to see out the mile to win.”
Fighting talk from a man who will carry the nation’s Pick 6 hopes with two realistic looking bankers on a nightmare of a card.
This will be a big one to win for the connections of Cold As Ice – the word is out that she is headed abroad soon and victory will only enhance her already massive track and paddock value.
The Majorca Stakes is one of the most important weight-for-age races for fillies and mares on the racing calendar and received the Klawervlei Stud branding from 2010 after the withdrawal of previous sponsor Fancourt.
Display Model – 1992 Gr2 Majorca Stakes winner
It is one of very few Gr1 events for fillies and mares and there was plenty of sentimental and historical synergy in the Klawervlei partnership as the race is named after the champion filly Majorca who was bred at Klawervlei by Ralph Koster.
With twelve opponents carded to take on Cold As Ice, the speculation and calculations will always be on the favourite.
With Carry On Alice unlikely to run after her terrific but strenuous Gr1 Cape Flying Championship third last Saturday, only one 3yo is left.
Mike Bass’ Inara came into her own on L’Ormarins Queen’s Pate day when staying on like a Trojan to beat a flying Athina for victory in the Gr1 Paddock Stakes.
Jet Belle (who runs on Saturday) was also finishing strongly under a half length back in third after being hampered badly by the winner earlier in the running.
With Athina not running here, Jet Belle must come into the reckoning as she is a versatile sort and will be 1kg better off with Inara.
Front Row
Hammie’s Hooker – can she melt the ice?
Inara’s stablemate Hammie’s Hooker ran 5,95 lengths back in the Paddock Stakes – a rare flat run for the daughter of Trippi who is often in the fillies feature mix.
She looks the ideal sort to run the favourite down in the final 100m if things don’t work out.
Anton Marcus rides Priceless Jewel for his nephew Adam and the consistent 5yo Ashaawes mare could provide Ramsden with a tactical headache.
Priceless Jewel, probably best at 1400m, likes to be right up in the action from the jump and Strydom will not be looking to cut throats in the vital early stages.
Gr2 Ipi Tombe Challenge winner Arcetri Pink ran a quiet race at her opening Cape start but has come into her own as a 4yo over middle distances. She jumps from a decent 3 draw and would have settled in to her temporary Cape base by now.
Tough Task
Maybe Yes won the KRA Fillies Guineas – but is off form
It really looks tough for the rest.
Gr2 KRA Fillies Guineas winner Maybe Yes had every chance in the Paddock Stakes but dropped out to run unplaced. She has pulled a wide draw and looks to have it all to do.
Neil Bruss’ lightly-raced Red Flame beat Arcetri Pink last time and looks a decent sort in the making.
Another with a wide draw, she could run into the places.
The Snaith duo of Jet Supreme and Acrostar may both prefer an extra 200m,
Jet Supreme was baulked in the Paddock Stakes last time but won a game race when clinching the Victress Stakes pipping Acrostar.
The remainder of the Mike Bass trio of Supreme Sunset and Lanner Falcon are both decent hard-knocking 4yo’s, capable of running into the places.
For Second
They all look to be racing for second at best.
On what we have seen to date, coupled with the skills and talent of one of the world’s best jockeys, we are going with Cold As Ice as a confident selection to beat Hammie’s Hooker and Jet Belle.
It doesn’t look like rocket science somehow.
