The R400 000 Gr2 Green Point Stakes is an often used first leg of a popular three pronged route into the J&B Met, which includes the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate. The weight for age with conditions!) mile has attracted a quality field as it always does – and if there were any questions that summer has actually begun, this will allay all doubts.
Act Of War – meets Horse Of The Year Futura for the first time
This is really and truly where the big guns hang out and the first time clash between two remarkably talented sons of Dynasty in Act Of War and Futura will be dominating the headlines.
Big name horses and powerful stables form the core of a field of ten contestants that line up on the ultimate purist’s terms – where the best and fittest horse should win. That sounds so simple, but as is often the case in life and marriage, it’s a little more complicated.
Mike Bass is enjoying a fine run of form – a great Gr2 Choice Carriers Championship win a fortnight ago was followed by the desperately unlucky Tevez just failing to register a Gr2 Cape Merchants hat-trick last Saturday.
The veteran Milnerton conditioner saddles half the field, and even with that numerical advantage he probably won’t have any illusions of banking the R250 000 first cheque – such is the strength of the top-class opposition.
Joey Ramsden – has kept Act Of War ticking over
Joey Ramsden’s star 4yo Act Of War has pulled the widest draw of all, but has Anton Marcus in the irons again, and that will be a major balancing factor.
He is a top-class performer over the mile and even though the winter course is running fast, he will be expected to be right in the action after his prep win in the Matchem Stakes last month at Durbanville.
His first time clash with the year older multiple Gr1 winning Futura will be an early highlight of the Cape Summer of Champions.
While fitness will favour Act Of War, Futura has earned his stripes and as former L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner, he must be a major worry for the Ramsden camp in the wfa mile.
Futura will not be 100% fit
The same programme was followed last year for Futura and he will have the early 2016 Gr1 prizes as his major target again, as he goes for an elusive and illustrious double.
Captain America – will strip fitter
The sparingly raced Captain America returned from a seven month break after a sensational Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes victory at Turffontein, to run a cracker when flying up late, only to be shaded by Blarmey Bay in a Pinnacle Stakes at Kenilworth last month.
There is little to choose between the top three.
The Conglomerate, stablemate to Act Of War, was well beaten there after a three month break post the July.
Classy The Conglomerate – better over further
He is a quality sort but is likely to come in here with an eye on the Met as his season target.
Dennis Drier hot form last Saturday with Triptique winning the Cape Merchants. The KZN champion saddles Punta Arenas, who comes off 16 week break since the Gr1 Champions Cup.
He ran a gallant second when chasing Power King home in the Vodacom Durban July – but his past record of unplaced efforts the past two years in this race, suggests he won’t be barking at the big dogs.
The Bass quintet sees stable jockey Grant Van Niekerk opting to ride Sail For Gold as a likely first choice.
The son of SaiL From Seattle had excellent Cape Winter series form and returned to run a 3,65 length fifth behind Act Of War in the Matchem Stakes.
He will prefer the extra 200m here and but has it all to do off a rating of 96.
The balance of the Bass runners all rain in a high quality Pinnacle Stakes a month ago.
That race, over 200m shorter than they run on Saturday, saw the longshot Blarney Bay beat Captain America.
Mike Bass – Mountain Master tries Fairview
Aston Park ran best of the quatet, running a neck back in third. The son of Battersea Park ran out of his skin in this race last year when chasing Legislate home, although beaten 3,50 lengths.
He is well held by Futura and looks to have a place hope at best.
Night Trip was 2,75 lengths behind Blarney Bay and won on Super Saturday on the Greyville polytrack at his penultimate start.
He ran a decent race behind Futura in a Pinnacle Stakes in the KZN Champion Season, but is yet to stamp himself as a genuine competitor on these terms.
Paterfamilias finished 3,60 lengths behind Blarney Bay and jumps from a 2 draw. It is worrying that the Trippi gelding has had little racing this year – although he won by a mile when a runaway winner at Turffontein in March.
He is another who is just off the best and has plenty to do win a race of this nature.
Helderberg Blue found the 1400m too short when 4 lengths off Blarney Bay.
The 5yo has flattered only to deceive at most big league efforts, but is capable on his day and ran a decent third in the Met.
He was punished by the handicapper for that effort and may need more time – and would also be a better bet in handicap company over further.
This looks a three way battle between Act Of War, Futura and Captain Amerca.
They are selected to finish in that order – but there should be nothing in it.
