At last. A staying race with a double digit subscription. That’s a rarity down Kenilworth way and the R250 000 Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap could make for one of the most interesting contests of the afternoon.
The honour roll shows that no trainer has dominated this race down the years with everybody getting their chance for glory.
Dean Kannemeyer is one man keen to reverse that trend.
Kannemeyer’s Cape Speed – the class horse in the race
He saddled Blake and subsequent Gold Cup winner In Writing to win in 2011 and 2012 respectively, and it is no secret that he rates both of his runners as class stayers on their day.
His Gr3 Track & Ball Derby winner Cape Speed has had one fair prep since finishing unplaced in the Gold Cup at the end of last term.
The Sun Met entry patently needed the run when chasing the free striding Kilrain home in an MR 95 Handicap and he will have come on with that run.
The son of Ideal World’s formline of 5 wins and 2 places from his 11 starts stands out against his opposition and he will be very effective over the trip.
Balance Sheet – may be tempting for some at 18 to 1!
His Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup winning stablemate Balance Sheet has developed a bad habit at the starting stalls and was never in his 1400m prep last time.
This son of Silvano stays well though and if reproducing his better form (as when chasing Wild One home in the 2015 Gold Cup) would have a chance of upsetting the apple-cart, even under top weight.
Mike de Kock’s Smart Mart won a hard fought tussle in the Listed Kenilworth Cup last time and will have the advantage amongst the visiting contingent of having seen the track.
The handicapper has been kind to the son of Mambo In Seattle who comes in with a handy galloping weight and must go very close again.
Woodruff raider Arch Rival
Geoff Woodruff’s Gr2 Gold Bowl winner Arch Rival has his first run in the Cape.
The son of A P Arrow ran slightly below par in the Listed Java Handicap on Charity Mile day, but is a dogged stayer with a touch of class – his victory over subsequent Gold Cup winner Enaad being testament to that.
Justin Snaith, who won this last year with Current Event, has a trio in the race.
Ultimate Dollar has drawn wide and will be building his confidence back at home after a loss of form following his top-class Tabgold 2200 in 2015.
A class sort who tries the 2500m for the first time, he could challenge.
Captain Splendid will be ridden by Piere Strydom
The East Cape Derby winner Captain Splendid looks the most likely of the Snaith attack.
That said, he failed to kick in the Kenilworth Cup and looks held by Smart Mart on that showing.
Ignoring that, the son of Captain Al is drawn well, gets the services of Piere Strydom and has no fitness issues.
His year older stablemate Arezzo actually finished 2,50 lengths ahead of him in the Kenilworth Cup and they meet on the same weight terms.
The Go Deputy entire has registered his last two wins at Fairview and may be a place prospect at best.
Adam Marcus
Adam Marcus’ Royal Badge is a classy son of Go Deputy whose form is probably not a genuine indicator of his true ability.
Winless in just under a year, he ran a good race when beaten just 1,65 lengths by ruling Sun Met favourite Marinaresco in the Winter Classic in May.
He tries serious ground and will be near peak fitness after two prep runs this term.
Vaughan Marshall’s pair of Gothic and the past Gr2 Betting World 1900 winner Dynastic Power will have their supporters.
The now 7yo Gothic is a decent stayer whose mental block in the finish has cost him a few first cheques. He has to be better than a three-time winner and will get every inch of the 2500m.
Dynastic Power – out of form
Dynastic Power has battled to find his form since a sensational victory over subsequent Vodacom Durban July hero Power King in the 2015 Betting World 1900.
The son of Dynasty comes off a six week break and reunites with his original pilot, Aldo Domeyer, who won the 2014 Gr3 Winter Guineas on him.
He may be the upset potential in the field.
Candice Bass-Robinson saddles My World and Three Balloons – both good stayers on their day.
Three Balloons finished 0,75 lengths ahead of his stablemate in the Kenilworth Cup last time behind Smart Mart and there is little too choose between the two again.
The ‘jockey-strike’ of the hot in-form Richard Fourie has us leaning towards My World, although both look to have a few lengths to find on the class in the race.
Greg Ennion’s Roman Discent comes in at the base of the handicap.
The son of Dynasty is fit and stays well but is in under sufferance and could be outclassed by the bigger hitters in a strong line-up.
Staying handicaps are never simple to dissect.
The proven stayers have a way of resurrecting their form and delivering on the day.
Cape Speed oozes class and could regain his winning ways. He needs to get past the handily weighted Smart Mart, the lurker Royal Badge and the sometimes inconsistent Captain Splendid.
It is not a straightforward closing leg of the Pick 6!
