The Cape racing public’s favourite Captain America defends his title when he lines up in Saturday’s R400 000 Gr2 Green Point Stakes. With three Joburg-based high flyers in the small field, the Captain won’t have things his own way and this race has all the makings of a humdinger.
Legal Eagle opens his Cape campaign
The Green Point honour roll will show that the race is generally a pointer to the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and in view of its timing is often used as a prep run for greater things.
The quality and depth of this year’s field is as good as ever and with the mouthwatering sub-plot of South Africa’s reigning Horse Of The Year squaring up to our Triple Crown champion, it could well be the race of the day.
The Green Point Stakes is classed as a weight-for-age race plus penalties event with 4yo’s and older set to carry 58kgs.
There is a 2kg penalty for a Gr1 win and a 1kg premium for a Gr2 score.
Sean Tarry – saddles Legal Eagle
Sean Tarry comes off the high of five winners on Summer Cup day in his hometown and saddles SA Horse Of The Year, Legal Eagle.
The champion son of Greys Inn is back in town in search of a L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate double and ran an outstanding sprint prep after a seven month break when running on impressively behind Saturday’s Gr2 Merchants winner Trip To Heaven last time.
The 1160m was way too short but he impressed all watchers by finishing his race off with an enthusiastic rattle.
Well drawn and with Anton Marcus up, it will take a brave man to back against the lightly raced 5yo on Saturday.
Many thought that our 2016 Triple Crown star Abashiri deserved the Horse Of The Year title and the son of Go Deputy has his first run down here after failing to take up a planned engagement in last year’s Investec Cape Derby.
Mike Azzie’s charge has had only one outing since failing to show in the Vodacom Durban July.
Abashiri – first run in Cape
That was in a 1160m sprint at Turffontein 5 weeks ago where he was completely outpaced and finished as much as 12,35 lengths behind Legal Eagle.
While generally seen as a horse who needs further to show his best, he did win the Gr2 Gauteng Guineas as a launch pad into his Triple Crown rout, and he could be dangerous to underestimate.
Marinaresco represents Candice Bass-Robinson’s major hopes of a Gr1 success this summer and the impressive son of Silvano takes his next step after a cracking opening sprint 5 weeks ago.
The Gr1 Champions Cup winner was outpaced early in the 1200m pipe-opener but stormed late down the outside to get within 1,75 lengths of Silicone Valley.
Marinaresco did win the Winter Guineas last term but he looks best at 1800m plus and he will find this mile a lot hotter.
The classy Marinaresco – Candice Bass-Robinson’s big summer hope
That said, he is highly thought of and must have every chance of winning.
His stablemate, the 6yo Jet Master gelding Helderberg Blue hasn’t won a race in over two years and a combination of behavioural issues and possibly being overrated from day one have conspired to stamp his career with the word ‘disappointing’ before we look anywhere else.
He ran in this race last year when a 5,25 length fifth behind Captain America – and it is difficult seeing him finishing anywhere closer this time round.
His running on second to Enaad in the Gold Cup at his last run 17 weeks ago was not a bad effort – and it is likely that he is being prepped for the Gr2 stayers on Met day.
Captain America – back for the double
Last year’s winner Captain America won the Matchem Stakes in style at his season opener after a six month rest.
Well drawn and on home turf, he looks a tough one to peg back – but Legal Eagle had his measure on the Highveld and may do so again.
His stablemate Sail South has continued to up his game and now faces his biggest test to date.
The 6yo son of Sail From Seattle has won 3 of his last 4 starts and Richard Fourie loves to throw the odd curved curved ball in the direction of the more fancied runners.
Johan Janse van Vuuren and Gavin Lerena have enjoyed a purple patch and they travel with Charity Mile winner, New Predator.
New Predator – Gavin Lerena is positive
This son of New Approach is lethal at a mile but would ironically have preferred the shorter run-in of the winter course.
That said, Gavin Lerena worked him last Wednesday at Kenilworth and all reports are that he moved with fluidity and handled the track well.
SA Guineas winner Black Arthur is very effective over Saturday’s course and distance but disappointed in his return run 3 weeks ago when failing to kick on.
Black Arthur – can bounce back
The classy Silvano colt gets the services of Piere Strydom and while technically held by Sail South on that flat prep, is expected to bounce back with vigour.
It’s a race that should dish up an entertainment spectacle.
If Captain America runs to his best, he should go close to making Legal Eagle gallop.
Marinaresco and New Predator are both high-class sorts and will be snapping at their heels.
Throw in Abashiri and Black Arthur, and suddenly the race looks an expensive one in the exotics!
