Fifteen males and four females, every one of them a Graded Stakes Winner, make Saturday’s WSB Gr1 Cape Town Met the strongest field ever assembled for a WFA race in South African racing history.
Linebacker – how did he get this far? (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
All credit to Greg Bortz and Hollywoodbets, writes horseracing expert Charles Faull as he provides us with a summary of each runner’s best achievement , and the highest Free Handicap FMR recorded by each – NB the scale is based on 130 for males and 125 for females for best in an average year.
It’s the same concept as the English Free Hcp which set 9 stone (126 lb) for the best in an average year
15 males:
AL MUTHANA (AUS) 5g 133
Maingard
Won Gold Challenge, Kings Plate, Hawaii , Wolf Power
Will he or won’t he stay this Ken 2000m ?! His sire = pure speed , his dam = solid classic , from the family of Northern Dancer.
He ran a 123 when 6 lengths back to Sparkling Water (rec 10 lb) in July, straight after a 130 in winning the Gold Challenge. Sledgehammer may hold the key : he ran 139 in two Mets at 4 and 5 and in between these ran a 130 in the July when 13th 8 lengths back to Principle Boy ( rec 16lb) – trainer Fred Rickaby “he did not see out the 2200m at Greyville but easily got 2000m at Kenilworth”
Ricky Mainguard – “Al Muthana has done well since the King’s Plate and like Wolf Power I think he will stay this Kenilworth 2000”
Only the race will tell!
DO IT AGAIN 8g 133?
Snaith
Won 2x July, Queen’s Plate , Gold Challenge, KZN Guineas , WSB 1900.
A tragic victim of SAF’s primitive race programme , this great horse has never been run over his optimum distance ! He is a horse of CLASSIC (2400 -2800m) aptitude, but there is not a single classic major in this dash-obsessed country.
Horse <> Human
1600 = 400
2000 = 800
2400 = 1600
Perhaps Greg Bortz and Hollywood could fix that too!
Should he jump well and settle into his rhythm , he will be closing fast at the end.
Bernard confident of a big run.
JET DARK 5 h 130
Snaith
Won 2x Queen’s Plate , Champions Cup , Cape Mile , 2nd July and Met
Huge run in Met last year when losing a length at the gate and beaten a length.
As game and consistent as they come and a worthy favourite.
Include in everything
KOMMETDIEDING 5 h 130
Crawford and Mrs Rix
Won Dbn July , Met , Politician
Won the race last year and comes off a flawless prep
Should be joint favourite with Jet Dark
Include in everything.
COUSIN CASEY 3 c (130 – 16 wfa) 114
Kotzen
Won Premiers Champion , Golden Horseshoe, Gatecrasher , Cape Cup
2nd Cape Guineas
This is a classy teenager up against grown men with a WFA prejudice of 2 to 3 lb but trying 2000m for the first time , a distance that could bring an improvement
Must be respected for exotics.
LINEBACKER 4 g 129
Marshall
Won Cape Derby, Kzn Guineas , Daily News ; 2nd Cape Guineas , Dbn July , Gold Challenge
Terrific half length 3rd in Met last year and now as a 5YO at his peak he is back over his favourite 2000m track.
Big contender again – Include in all perms.
ZAPATILLAS 4 c (129 – 2 wfa) 127
Crawford
Won KZN Guineas from a strong field , 2nd Politician St when fav and beaten less than a length reported not striding out
5,5 lengths back in LKP
Has only had 9 starts to date and his pedigree suggests that this 2000m is what he is looking for , so deserves respect.
GOLDEN DUCAT 6 g 128
Sands
Won Cape Derby , Champions Cup , Premier Trophy
Looked a picture before the LKP and is certainly better suited to this 2000m. Blinkers first time.
Eric Sands: “Expect an improvement”
Nexus
NEXUS 7 g 128
Snaith
Won Peninsula Hcp at 5 and 7, ran a smashing race when 2nd under 59,5 kg in Premier Trophy 3 weeks ago.
The most underrated horse in the race.
POMP AND POWER 4g (128 -2 wfa)
Snaith 126
Won Cape Derby, Concorde Cup ; 2nd Cape Guineas , Daily News
Under top weight of 60 kg stayed on well less than 3 lengths back to 5YO Rascallion (rec 3 lb)in the Premier Trophy suggesting that he is returning to the form that won him the Cape Derby over this 2000m.
He is highly strung and his own worst enemy , but a top class performer when he can contain himself.
Won’t be surprised to see him in the money.
.
RASCALLION 5 g 127
Marshall
Won Premier Trophy; 2nd Cape Derby , 2nd Daily News
This is a peaking 5YO , bang in form who loves this Kenilworth 2000m.
Ignore him at your own peril!
WARRIOR 5 g 127+
Snaith
Won Winter Guineas and Cape Mile defeating Rascallion and Kommetdieding.
By Futura and a direct descendant of RAINBIRD , one of only 17 fillies ever to have won the Melbourne Cup , this top class 5YO has been running on very stoutly over 1800m.
Expect a big improvement over this extra and further
Another for the exotics.
UNIVERSAL 4 g (126 -2 wfa) 124
Marcus
Won Politician Stakes ; 2nd Cape Derby , Green Point Stakes.
4th in Premier Trophy in blanket finish with Rascallion , Nexus and Warrior.
Current form very good and a couple of lb off the best.
WATERBERRY LANE 4g (124 -2)122
Maingard
Won Golden Horseshoe , Byerley Turk
Top class when less than 2,5 lengths back in KZN Guineas and Daily News.
Less than 3 lengths back in Green Point Stakes and judged on Daily News form and the fact that his dam is by Fort Wood he should enjoy this 2000m.
GEM KING 4 g (123 – 2 wfa) 121
Steyn
Won Winter Guineas , Winter Classic.
Less than 3 lengths back in Cape Merchants and 5,5 back in Premier.
Scope for improvement.
4 females
MAKE IT SNAPPY 3f (125 -16 wfa)
Crawford 109
Won Cape Fillies Guineas , Paddock St , Summer Bowl.
Champion 3YO Filly
Flawless form with 4 wins including 2 Gr 1’s from 5 starts.
Should relish the extra 200m.
RAIN IN HOLLAND 4 (125 -2) 123
Tarry
Won Gauteng Fillies Guineas , SA Fillies Guineas , SA Oaks , Thekweni St , Gerald Rosenberg.
4,3 lengths back in Paddock St in her prep over 1800m.
This 2000 should be ideal for this Champion 3YO Filly of last season.
SPARKLING WATER 5f 122+
De Kock
Won Dbn July, Western Cape Stayers and 2nd SA Oaks , Champions Challenge.
Was gaining 2 lengths back in Paddock Stakes and definitely better suited to this extra.
As a fully mature 5YO, she is guaranteed to give you a run for your money
MARINA 5 f 122
Bass
Won Victress Stakes 2x , Gold Bracelet ; 2nd Garden Province , Summer Bowl ; 3rd Paddock St by 0,3 lengths to Captain’s Ransom 2022.
Caught wide in Met last year when 5,2 lengths behind Kommetdieding.
- Thanks to Charles Faull
- Images – Candiese Lenferna and Chase Liebenberg
