Vengence – has his third run after the rest.
Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap over 2500m at Kenilworth (new course) on Saturday
Whilst that lovable man in red is doing final checks before setting off on his world tour, the highlight on Christmas Eve is the Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap over 2500m at Kenilworth. Thirteen look set to go to post and with most running off their true mark in the handicap, it is as usual a very competitive affair, writes Steve Furnish
Shouldering top weight of 60kg is one of just two runners in the race that are not coupled, Paddy O’Reilly. Fourth in the Cape Derby back in 2010, this son of Dynasty is probably at his best around today’s distance, and he did gain his latest success over 2400m. At first glance he would look to be out of form having not finished better than fourth in three outings since returning from a six month break in October, but he has been racing in much stronger company and over shorter trips. He could pop up.
In Writing
The next three highest in the weights are all trained by Dean Kannemeyer. Just four months ago In Writing was rated 6 points higher in the handicap than he is today and were he to find his best form, he would clearly be a very serious runner. He’s been below best since finishing third in the Greyville 1900m back in May though and the booking of jockeys would suggest that others from the stable are preferred.
Cree Lodge
A past winner of both the Langerman and Winter Derby, Cree Lodge was close to the best of his generation earlier in his career. He’s been very sparingly raced during the course of 2011 though, and returning from a three month break here after being scratched lame on the near fore in his latest scheduled outing, one is not quite sure what to expect.
Blake
Improving Blake has won three of his last five starts.
More than likely to be the stable elect from the yard on the day then is Blake, and he does go particularly well for Karl Neisius. He’s at the top of his game right now having won three of his last five starts, and all of those successes were gained over 2400m. He won with authority when beating five of today’s opponents in the listed Woolavington Handicap last time out and clearly still improving looks sure to fight it out.
Hawk’s Eye
One of four runners from the stable of Joey Ramsden, this son of Hawk Wing came to hand nicely at the start of last season and very quickly won three from four. He would undoubtedly have a shout if finding his best form, and he does now get the very talented Bernard Fayd’herbe in the saddle. His form since those latest three successes has been in and out though, and he is now without a win in thirteen starts.
Omaha Beach
Placed in both the Gold Cup and Gold Vase in 2007 and 2008, Omaha Beach was a top stayer earlier in his career. With eight wins under his belt one would have thought that he had done more than enough to be spending his retirement in the country at ten years old and so it was a surprise to see him back on the track after a fifteen month layoff in October. His four outings since have all been well below par and he is best just watched.
Vengence
Much more likely to be a threat from the stable is the 4yo Vengence and he does have stable jockey Glen Hatt on board. He improved rapidly after shedding his maiden tag last December and after winning the Eastern Cape Derby, he wound up a very promising first season with a fourth placing in the Winter Derby over 2400m here on the old course. This son of Black Sam Bellamy has been coming to hand nicely since his return to action in November and he was running on well from midfield when only beaten a length and a quarter over today’s course and distance by the improving Born To Be Wild last time out. Vengence has his third run after the rest here and with further improvement sure to be forthcoming, he has to be a serious runner.
Orchard House
Also in with a shout from the Ramsden stable is Orchard House. This son of Casey Tibbs showed real promise early last season and he was hampered when finishing downfield in the Gr1 Cape Derby in his last outing prior to a nine month layoff. He too has been coming to hand nicely since returning to action and he did finish best of all when winning in handicap company over 2000m last time out. The most lightly raced runner in the field, Orchard House has his third run after rest here. He looks sure to appreciate the extra and with plenty of scope for further improvement, he has to be a runner.
Sun City
The veteran Sun City has been a tremendous servant to connections winning seven of his forty eight starts. He’s as consistent as they come and is sure to be doing his best work late. This son of Kahal has been comfortably beaten by others in this race in each of his last two outings though and the younger horses do have much greater scope for improvement.
Posh Boy
Stable companion Posh Boy was beaten by Sun City in the Settler’s Trophy back in September, but he has since finished ahead of him in the Woolavington. Posh Boy was only beaten 2,25 lengths behind the winner Blake in the Woolavington and he is now 2,5kg better off at the weights with that one. Posh Boy was finishing best of all when third in the listed Durbanville Cup last time out and with five of today’s opponents behind him in that event he must have a shout.
Two Strikes
A son of Strike Smartly, Stephen Page’s charge showed tremendous improvement last season. He was only picked off late in the Gr2 J&B Reserve Stayers back in January and in June he ran a very good third to Vertical Takeoff in the Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup. He was running on stoutly when only beaten three lengths by Hospitality over 3200m in the listed Durbanville Cup last time out and interestingly, his last two wins have both been gained over today’s distance. Two Strikes should now be at his peak having his third run after the rest. Expect a bold effort.
Golden Parachute
As with a number of the runners here, the 6yo Golden Parachute has some useful earlier staying form to his name, and he would be thereabouts if at best. Since beating Paddy O’Reilly and In Writing in the Chairman’s Cup over 3200m in February though, Mike Bass’ charge has only managed to make the frame once in twelve starts.
Komatipoort
More of a threat from the stable of Mike Bass on the day then will probably be the younger Komatipoort. He’s shown flashes of real ability and he was running on nicely when finishing fourth in his first try over today’s distance in the aforementioned MR86 Handicap won by the improving Born To Be Wild last time out. He can be expected to improve here, but as with all of Vengence, Orchard House and Golden Parachute, he is a little under sufferance here.
About The Pace
A good strong pace is not easy to come by in staying races and with no out and out front runners in the field, there has to be a chance that the event will fall victim to the dreaded Cape crawl. Eleven of the thirteen runners are involved in couplings though, so hopefully plans will have been made. Plenty have chances in what looks to be a very interesting contest and I’m going to take my chances each way with the improving Vengence.
