“This was a courageous win as he wasn’t well in and did it the hard way. I may look at the Gold Cup next for him. Whatever, he will be a cracking 4yo for the Cape summer.” Trainer Dean Kannemeyer can do little wrong from his Summerveld base and he was on the feature mark again at Scottsville on Sunday.
Cape Speed (Anthony Delpech, yellow cap) outstays Deputy Jud (Weichong Marwing)
The somewhat controversial R300 000 Gr3 Track And Ball ‘Derby’ is now open to all horses at weight-for-age plus penalties and attracted a mixed age bunch, which included last year’s winner, the now 6yo Disco Al.
Anthony Delpech – initiative won the race
Displaying the confidence of a man at the top of his game, Avontuur-sponsored Anthony Delpech made all the right moves again.
Jumping at 5-2 favourite, and one of only three 3yo’s (it’s a Derby, really?) the Cape Speed victory was sealed at the 1400m marker when Delpech realised the pace was a touch pedestrian as he took his mount around them, to chase Kingston Mines and Deputy Jud into the home straight.
Into the final 300m Cape Speed allayed any doubts about his staying ability to register a hat-trick of wins
Cape Speed outstayed Deputy Jud and one always had the impression that he had the Supreme Cup winner’s measure.
Lady Christine Laidlaw and trainer Dean Kannemeyer – enjoying a good run
The winning margin was 0,25 lengths and the winner’s time 150,65 secs.
The enigmatic Deputy Jud showed some improvement over the ground and this may be his new career direction after staying on nicely.
Another Judpot was 1,75 lengths away in third – the Cape longshot Three Balloons (66-1) coming out of the pack to chase the top two home.
Ashburton-based Kitty’s Destiny maintained his consistency to run into fourth – to show that he can be effective on the turf too.
Last year’s winner Disco Al never got going and finished just out of the places.
Dean Kannemeyer – the feature hits keep on coming
Former Gold Cup winner Wavin’ Flag hardly raised a gallop and ran stone last.
With Kannemeyer’s form it will pay to follow the yard – since April, they have, in addition to Sunday’s Derby, won all of the Gr1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Fillies Sprint (Real Princess), Gr2 Betting World 1900 (Solid Speed), Gr3 Byerley Turk (Mambo Mime) , Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes (Fromafar) , Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup (Balance Sheet), Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes (Real Princess) and the Listed In Full Flight Handicap (Captain Alfredo).
Bred by Mauritzfontein, Cape Speed is a son of Ideal World out of the five-time winning Strike Smartly mare, No More Screws. The Gold Cup certainly looks within his compass.
He was purchased for R550 000 on the National Yearling Sale and took his earnings after Sunday’s good win to R417 475.
Lightly raced, he has only run nine times and was registering his fifth win with one place. An outstanding record!
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Gr3 Derby (SAf-Gr3)
Scottsville, South Africa, June 19, R300k, 2400m, turf, good, 2.30.65
1 – CAPE SPEED (SAF), 55.0, b g 3, Ideal World (USA) – No More Screws (SAF) by Strike Smartly (CAN). Owner Khaya Stables (Pty) Ltd; Breeder Mauritzfontein Stud; trainer D Kannemeyer; jockey A Delpech
2 – Deputy Jud (SAF), 60.0, ch g 4, Judpot (USA) – Star Deputy (NZ) by Deputy Governor (USA)
3 – Three Balloons (SAF), 58.0, b g 4, Judpot (USA) – Souen (IRE) by Montjeu (IRE)
Margins: 0.25, 1.75, 0.15
