The absence of Mike Bass’ crack 3yo Marinaresco takes some lustre off today’s final leg of the R1 million Cape Winter Series. A victory in the R250 000 Gr3 Winter Derby on Saturday would have seen the Silvano gelding follow in the hallowed hoofprints of his illustrious stablemate of a decade ago, the champion Pocket Power.
East Cape Derby winner Captain Splendid is on the up
That’s all speculation now, given the fact that Marinaresco has opted for a different route.
Nobody can knock the Marinaresco connections for rather taking their chances on the relatively richer platform of the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July a week later, although there was doubtless some restless sentimental pondering by part-owner Marsh Shirtliff.
The longstanding patron of Cape racing had the only horse to win the Cape Winter Triple Crown, Pocket Power wear his pink, white and blue silks land the odds in 2006.
Pocket Power in his heyday
Ironically, the rest of South Africa had hardly noticed the fireworks down South, because the Jet Master gelding had apparently not been considered good enough to make the journey to the SA Champions Season in KZN.
Milnerton-based trainer Mike Bass had deliberately kept the son of Jet Master at home due to his immaturity and the strapping bay gelding went on to become one of the all-time greats of the South African turf, winning nine Gr 1 races, including the J&B Met three-times in succession and the Gr 1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate a record four times in succession.
So there won’t be any mistaking the intentions of Marinaresco come 2 July – even with a 13 saddle cloth!
Saturday’s 2400m contest looks to be a genuine stamina test with rain forecast and recent Gr3 East Cape Derby winner Captain Splendid looks to build further on his burgeoning career as he steps out as one of two Justin Snaith runners.
Lyle Hewitson
The son of Captain Al gave young Lyle Hewitson the first Group winner of his career when he stormed home in the Fairview classic and looks set to follow up, with a repeat of that ruun.
Hewitson, who partners Dynamic in his first July ride for Snaith, has booted home over 50 winners in double quick time and will know how to ride the Varsfontein Stud-bred gelding – with the aid of a 4 draw.
His stablemate Elusive Silva shares the same rating on 86 and the son of Silvano was fancied to go closer than his 3,25 length fourth in the East Cape Derby.
He was reported to have made a respiratory noise there and it is difficult writing him off on just that one outing as a fellow who doesn’t stay 2400m.
Mike Bass
The Mike Bass duo of Jet Air (Shirtliff silks again!) and Brilliant Crimson must both have claims.
The highest rated runner in the race, the well campaigned Jet Air finally came good in a quality 1800m handicap over 1800m when beating the classy Milton last time.
He should go well this trip and one imagines that Grant van Niekerk had the choice of rides.
Stablemate Brilliant Crimson was a Fairview feature winner three runs back but was outgunned in the Winter Classic when 7,85 lengths behind Marinaresco.
He will need to improve and is unproven this trip.
Brett Crawford has a trio of runners in the race, with the Aussie bred Whisky Baron looking overdue after being runner-up to Marinaresco in the first two legs.
The son of Manhattan Rain has a touch of class and is much stronger than a one-time winner.
Vilakazi (inside) chases Marinaresco in the Winter Guineas
Stablemate Vilakazi ran on powerfully from a poor draw in the Winter Guineas when getting to within a length of Marinaresco
He then failed to fire in the Winter Classic buut is out of a former winner of this race in the gutsy Sweet Virginia and she loved the give in the ground.
One Away is the third of Crawford’s trio.
Considered good enough to takes his chances in the Cape Derby, he has failed to catch the eye since and seems a longshot at this stage.
Greg Ennion struck top form at Kenilworth last weekend and he will have hope of cracking it with one of his two.
Eighth Wonder has never recaptured his Cape Classic form
Cape Classic winner Eighth Wonder did not impress in the first two legs and looks marginal and seems to have his limitations.
The son of Captain Al needs to prove he will go the 2400m, while his stable companion Roman Discent looks bred for this ground.
Richard Fourie rides Larimar
That said, Roman Discent ran handily under an apprentice and dropped out behind Red Peril over the course and distance last time and may benefit from a more restrained ride from the underrated Lucian Africa.
Richard Fourie rides Larimar for Glen Puller.
The son of Mambo In Seattle is the lowest rated runner on a modest 69 and shed his maiden over 1400m – so is an interesting dip in this race.
The underfoot conditions could turn this race on its head but Captain Splendid and Whisky Baron look the two most likely to fight this out.
Vilakazi and Elusive Silva may be next best.
