Fit Again. The Glen Kotzen trained Counts Rocket will be ridden by Anton Marcus in the Selangor Cup
The R300 000 Gr2 Selangor Cup, to be run over a mile on the winter course at Kenilworth on Saturday has always been a reliable indicator race to both the Gr1 Cape Guineas and the Cape Derby.
The likes of current stallions Jay Peg and Russian Sage, Dubai bound Le Drakkar, and Met winner Past Master are just some of the big names that highlight the honour roll of a race that has grown ins stature over the years.
The Selangor Cup was established to celebrate a twinning arrangement dating back to 1997 between Kenilworth Racecourse and the Selangor Turf Club in Malaysia.
Classic Kannemeyer
This year a field of thirteen line up, and trainer Dean Kannemeyer saddles a trio of runners in an effort to maintain his outstanding record in the event. Kannemeyer has won it many times and as recently as 2009 grabbed the top two places when Past Master (yes he used to train the Met winner) beat current day Gary Player Stud based stallion, Noordhoek Flyer.
Kannemeyer’s Capetown Noir was beaten a nostril in the race last year by Joey Ramsden’s King Of Pain, and he will be looking to settle a score with his Milnerton neighbour. That despite the fact that Capetown Noir went on to register the Guineas and Derby double last year. But that is all history now. To the present we move and the resolution of a tricky puzzle, without a standout star this year.
Card Trick
Dean Kannemeyer plays a card or two from his classic hand with a strong three way coupling. On jockey engagement second guessing, it would appear that Karl Neisius’ mount Power King is the stable elect. The son of Silvano won his first two starts on the trot, but was caught flatfooted in a small field last time.
He eventually went a one paced third 1,60 lengths behind the highest rated previous one time winner in the country, Shogunnar. Which, on considering Shogunnar’s proximity at times to the better horses, that was not too bad at all. Grant Behr, who fell and hurt himself in work last week, rides Speed Rocket. Like his stablemate, he won his first two starts, and then ran third.
Speed Rocket’s collateral is not as strong as his stablemate, but he will enjoy this trip and is well drawn. The Wilgerbosdrift owned Argentinian bred Capel Top has only his third run, after winning at his second outing. Kevin Shea rides the son of Giant’s Causeway, who should also enjoy the mile test. And we know that Kannemeyer doesn’t experiment with no hopers at feature level!
KZN Challenge
Dennis Drier and Sean Cormack have had a great summer so far and they go to post with Captain On The Run, who jumps from the 1 draw. A promising winner of his first two starts, he has failed to shine at his next two starts, and is now called upon to show his mettle. It concerns us that he is very fast, and is out of a mare who only won to 1450m.
De Kock Crying
The Brett Crawford trained De Kock is crying out for this trip and looks fit and ready after a fast finishing third and under three lengths behind Red Ray in the Cape Classic. He is a lightly raced son of Dynasty that has always been spoken about in glowing terms by trainer Brett Crawford. Justin Snaith saddles Legislate and Cape Cutter.
Legislate has run seconds at his last two starts and while well beaten by Red Ray in the Cape Classic (Legislate received five kilos from him), he did win his maiden in excellent style over the course and distance three runs back. He is a horse that Justin Snaith’s dogs have been barking about all winter long, and he should not be underestimated.
His stablemate Cape Cutter finished narrowly ahead of Counts Rocket in the Listed Racing Association Stakes, and comes in well drawn with Bernard Fayd’herbe in the saddle.
Kotzen Rocket
Anton Marcus rides the Glen Kotzen trained Counts Rocket. Rested after winning the Listed Winter Juvenile Stakes over Saturday’s course and distance, he failed to feature in the Matchem Stakes on his return to racing action.
He then ran a good fourth under a length behind Top Jet in the Listed Racing Association Stakes up at Fairview in October, and if the round trip has not taken too much out of him, could challenge here.
Bass’ Boy
The Mike Bass trained Zambezi Torrent won the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes as a 2yo in KZN, but then after a staying on albeit well beaten second behind Capetown Noir in the Matchem Stakes, he ran downfield in the Cape Classic. He is well drawn at 2, and warrants place considerations on best form.
Glen Puller’s Stronghold gelding Strongman is poorly drawn at 13, and after winning his first three starts, was unplaced in the Cape Classic. He was bumped there and may warrant a second chance.
Elley Track
Stan Elley often produces a 3yo feature prospect and he appears to have a nice one in the Dynasty colt, Dynastic Power. Dynastic Power has won two of his three starts and improved smartly at his post maiden effort over 200m further, to get a narrow decision over Legislate. Well drawn and with Aldo Domeyer up, he could well challenge for the places. We frankly do not yet know how good this fellow really is.
Judpot Jackpot
Joey Ramsden’s Judpot gelding Juddering Angel was thought to be very promising early on, but has only managed one win from his seven starts, and gets a set of blinkers to help him to focus on the task at hand. In any event he looks held by Counts Rocket on the Listed Winter Juvenile Stakes form.
The Australia bound Stephen Page saddles the Sail From Seattle colt Sail South. The talented 3yo won two in a row, but was well beaten by Red Ray in the Cape Classic last time out.
Future Stars
The Selangor Cup is a reliable pointer to the turf heroes of tomorrow. Dean Kannemeyer has an outstanding track record in the race and he will know what it takes to stop the likes of De Kock and Legislate. Just which one of the Kannemeyer trio to side with is the tricky question!
