The Cape Winter Series has been the launching pad of some serious racehorses over the years. The 2016 first leg introduced the Silvano gelding Marinaresco to the SA racing community last month. The Mike Bass charge looks a good thing to land the spoils in today’s R250 000 Gr3 Winter Classic run over 200m further on the Kenilworth winter course.
Marinaresco seen winning the Winter Guineas – will he go for the July?
Marinaresco’s scintillating late charge from way back to win the Winter Guineas on the Summer Course was most impressive and that after his third placing to It’s My Turn (where he finished in front of current July favourite Black Arthur) in the Investec Cape Derby three months earlier confirmed the consensus that the slightly built galloper was something special.
Mike Bass has trained the only horse in history to wear the Cape Winter Triple Crown and while nobody is suggesting that Marinaresco is anywhere near the Pocket Power class yet, he is in the Vodacom Durban July pecking order at 25-1.
There have been reports that his owners would be prepared to forego the golden R250 000 Triple Crown carrot if he were to win on Saturday and rather divert towards Durban and a July bid.
Pocket Power – memories of a champion
It is Mike Bass’ final season at the helm and what a fairytale that would be were Marinaresco to follow in the hallowed hoofprints of Trademark, Dunford and Pocket Power.
But counting chickens in racing doesn’t work so let’s not get ahead of ourselves, yet!
It is certainly difficult betting against Marinaresco on Satuurday, even if the shorter winter run-in will suit his racing style less than the summer strip. And the Bass big horse jockey musical chairs sees Grant Van Niekerk taking the reins from Aldo Domeyer, who did such a superb job in the Guineas.
Aldo Domeyer
Domeyer rides stablemate Brilliant Crimson who won a PE feature before running 2,70 lengths behind Midnite Zone over the Kenilworth 1400m last time.
He was running on steadily and will enjoy the extra 400m.
Brett Crawford’s pair of Whisky Baron and Vilakazi chased Marinaresco home in the Guineas when second and third respectively.
They should both relish the test here and from a marginally more favourable draw, Vilakazi could be the joker in the pack.
After a five month break, Justin Snaith’s Langerman winner Ready To Attack failed to show in the Guineas when well beaten.
On earlier form, the Aussie bred son of More Than Ready has the class to challenge.
Eighth Wonder has never quite repeated his Cape Classic victory
The Ennion duo of Cape Classic winner Eighth Wonder and recent maiden winner Jeremy look to have lots to do.
Eighth Wonder has disappointed more than he hasn’t since that early season feature and was blowing when 24 lengths behind Marinaresco in the Guineas.
Jeremy took ten starts to shed his maiden and may well be better in the third leg over the ground.
Vaughan Marshall’s Paladin ran a very decent race in the Cape Derby and has been thereabouts at his last three starts against weaker.
Well drawn and with plenty of scope to improve over ground, he is one for the third leg notebook – if not a decent showing here.
Streak Of Silver is a half-brother to the well performed Potala Palace but ran a poor race in the Winter Guineas when dropping out to a walk and 37 lengths off Marinaresco.
He will have to improve dramatically.
Royal Badge showed promise in the lower ranks before poor runs in the Cape Derby and Winter Guineas.
He may have needed that last start and could be worthy of a quartet inclusion.
Glen Puller’s Larimar is a recent maiden winner and off his MR of 69 cannot be marked as a serious candidate.
Another recent maiden winner, Shall Be Free looks to be in a similar boat at these weights and has a backend place prospect at best.
Marinaresco looks a cut above and he is the choice to beat Vilakazi and Whisky Baron.
