Justin Snaith’s outstanding 3yo Snowdance looks likely to start one of the shortest priced favourites in the recent history of the R1 million Gr1 Majorca Stakes. The Cheveley Stud-bred daughter of Captain Al is one of the most talked about prospects on the local racing scene in recent years.
.Snowdance – cramped odds and should win
A winner of the Cape Fillies Guineas – where she beat subsequent Paddock Stakes winner and Met hopeful Oh Susanna – and Gr2 Western Cape Fillies Championship by an aggregate 8 lengths at her last two starts, Snowdance looks set to record another win.
She looks to hold this lot and bumps 2016 Cape Fillies Guineas winner Just Sensual who has the blinkers dropped as she steps up in ground after failing to fire in the 1200m Gr2 Sceptre Stakes last time. The daughter of Dynasty will strip fit and must be a danger – if the Snowdance wheels come off.
Goodtime Gal faded right out in the Paddock Stakes – her worst effort in ages – and she has to overcome a 13 draw.
Goodtime Gal – game sort
Silvan Star never showed in the Paddock Stakes but has proven very effective at a mile. She must be a serious place bet if Richard Fourie can overcome her wide draw.
Gimme Six finished 5 lengths behind Silvan Star in the Paddock Stakes and may have needed the outing. Piere Strydom rides the Daisy Guineas winner, whose earlier form was top-class.
Rockin Russian has not been at her best in her recent Cape starts and was originally aimed at the CTS 1600. On her best 2yo form, she must have a place chance.
Victress Stakes winner Star Express didn’t have things her own way in the Paddock Stakes but finally gets a nice draw and Callan Murray will be keen to make amends on this talented Silvano daughter.
Final Judgement – not at best
Final Judgement travelled to PE for a stakes feature last time out but faded out late to run 7 lengths behind Cape-based Merysagos. While she has the best of the draw, the daughter of Judpot is battling to regain her early sparkle.
A winner of 3 of her first 6 races, Premier Dance stayed on strongly in the Victress when beaten just over 2 lengths by Star Express. This Silvano half-sister to Capetown Noir could be on the way back to best and could be a dark horse threat to put some late sparkle into the Dennis Drier summer campaign.
Louisiana appears to have lost all semblance of her semblance of form and a widish draw won’t help the daughter of Ideal World.
Beataboutthebush – travels from PE
PE challenger Beataboutthebush is very consistent but tends to lack a killer blow late in her races. The fact that Greg Cheyne opts to ride Seattle Gold may be a pointer. The latter has not quite been at her best lately and was beaten 4 lengths in the Paddock Stakes. She is a dangerous front-runner at best.
Rose In Bloom chased Magical Wonderland home in the Sceptre Stakes last time and is a capable galloper on her day. She was bumped when beaten 6 lengths in the Cape Fillies Guineas and seems – at this stage – to be more effective over shorter than the mile.
Snowdance looks very difficult to oppose. In the words of Grant van Niekerk, who partners her for the first time on Saturday, and recently did some work on her. “She just has this stride and goes faster than the others!”
