The high class Act Of War should win
Hats off to Justin Snaith and Mike Bass. They are the only two trainers who have dared turn up to take on Joey Ramsden’s ‘war machine’ in today’s R250 000 Gr3 Matchem Stakes to be run over the Durbanville 1400m. Despite their gallantry, they look to be running for place money at best.
Anton Marcus is in town to partner the lightly raced 4yo Act Of War, who commences his Summer Of Champions campaign after a 21 week break.
The Cape Guineas winner has won 7 of his 9 outings from 1200m to a mile and has shown the ability to win when running fresh – as he does on Saturday.
The weight-for-age terms of the race suggest that he should win by half the racecourse and even his 8 draw surely won’t deter the form students.
He is a confident selection.
Snaith Quintet
Heartland – has been rested but well drawn (Pic:Liesl King(
Justin Snaith’s quintet is headed by two decent sorts in Heartland and the recently consistent, Alpha Pegasi.
Heartland is drawn against the paint but has not seen action in 21 weeks following his KRA Guineas blank effort behind The Conglomerate. His earlier form around this distance was good.
Alpha Pegasi may be the pick – he has only been rested five weeks and has a choice draw at 2.
The son of Captain Al has his first run at Durbanville and if he adapts to the environment, has a great turn of foot to see him grab the majority of the place spoils.
Investec Cape Derby fourth-placed Arniston was rested after quite a tough 3yo campaign.
He is likely to need the run and is probably more effective over further.
Specialist
Charles Lytton – looks to have it all to do
Charles Lytton is something of a 1400m specialist but ran a dull race last time in PE when failing to quicken when beaten 4,35 lengths behind Gogetthesheriff.
This is much stronger and he cannot be fancied.
The consistent Master’s Eye shed his maiden over 1400m early on, but appears to have developed into a staying sort.
He comes off a 14 week rest following his gallant runner-up finish to Liquid Mercury in the Gr3 Winter Derby.
The Sail From Seattle gelding Sail For Gold chased Act Of War home in the Winter Guineas and finished 1,25 lengths in arrears.
The versatile galloper then went on to run Royal Dreamer to under a length in the Winter Classic.
His two return runs over 1200m and 1400m have proven his wellbeing and he won a cracker last time after being hampered.
No Spark
Mike Bass – stable is in form
Line Break failed to kick last time when beaten over 4 lengths by Sheer Trouble. He enjoys a 3kgs turnaround here with him – but at his penultimate start he caught the eye when beaten 1,25 lengths behind Blackmore – he won such a decent race last Wednesday.
The Silvano gelding Sheer Trouble showed some early classic potential, but although well beaten in the Cape Guineas, has come back strongly with back-to-back wins into his 4yo term.
Tomba La Bomba won two on the trot before being beaten 4,80 lengths by Act Of War in the Winter Guineas. He meets the Ramsden star on the same weight terms here and looks unlikely to make any impact.
His return run saw him run 7,95 lengths behind stablemate Sheer Trouble – and enjoys a 3kg pull here.
Act Of War should win it easily.
