Cat And The Moon will be ridden by Richard Fourie
The Cape Winter Series Triple Tiara is still there for the taking as Greg Bortz’ first leg winner Sunset Tripp takes on nine rivals in the R150 000 Listed Stormsvlei Mile at Kenilworth today. She has drawn on the wide outside and interestingly Snaith jockey Richard Fourie jumps ship to stablemate Cat And The Moon.
There is a relatively modest R150 000 bonus payable to the winner of all three races in this series- and it isn’t easy to win.
The first leg was the Sweet Chestnut Stakes run over 1400m; this leg is over 200m further – but the third leg, the Winter Oaks, is over all of 2200m. It takes a versatile galloper to take all three in potentially varying underfoot conditions.
Further The Better
Sunset Tripp wins the Sweet Chestnut
The Gary and Jackie Jolliffe-bred Sunset Tripp (86) has plenty going for her. She is by Trippi out of a Fort Wood mare and looks set to improve the further she goes.
Her only try this far previously, was a 7,70 lengths unplaced run behind Majmu in the AVontuur Cape Fillies Guineas.
She got up late last time in the Sweet Chestnut to deny Seven Grand (85) and Moonsong Magic (92) in a thrilling double short-head three cornered duel, where under a length covered the top four.
The blanket finish of the Sweet Chestnut may place the credibility of the form under the microscope, and there will be little to choose between them over 200m further on Sunday.
With fourth placed Fear Not taking her chances in the Olympic Duel Stakes, the top three are back for more, with Sunset Tripp incurring a 1kg penalty.
Handicapper’s Choice
Richard Fourie – stable jock rides Cat And The Moon
Bernard Fayd’herbe rides her from the ten draw, with Richard Fourie taking the ride on Sweet Chestnut fifth placed (1,10 lengths) Cat And The Moon (88) – who is also a kilo better off.
The well -drawn Cat And The Moon (Mr Bortz has a share of her too) has a terrific turn of foot and will enjoy running at them late off a fast pace.
If the handicapper is to be believed, Greg Ennion’s consistent Moonsong Magic (92) is the right filly. A winner of three of her seven starts, the daughter of Windrush flew late and was an unlucky loser last time.
She does take time to build into her finish and the shorter run-in of the winter course may not be entirely to her liking.
Improver
Mike Bass – saddles Seven Grand
Mike Bass trained Seven Grand (85) appears to be improving and came close to scoring a blow last time. But she has been battling for some time to register her second win, and was outclassed in the KZN Champions Season features as a 2yo last term. She looks capable of developing into a decent middle distance filly.
The three-time winner Crystal Cavern (87) was marginally disappointing when 3,40 lengths back in the Sweet Chestnut.
She won her penultimate start beating Casey’s Jet, who was beaten just under two lengths by Three Blue Cranes on Saturday.
On breeding Crystal Cavern looks likely to enjoy the mile and must go into calculations with Bling Khumalo in the irons.
Good Promise
Greg Cheyne – go close on Moonsong Magic
Elusive Stars (82) showed plenty of promise from early in her career and she looks much better than a one-time winner.
She was beaten 1,90 lengths in the Sweet Chestnut and will enjoy the extra 200m – even though she is held by Moonsong Magic on an earlier start.
The third of the Snaith trio is the Dynasty filly Evoke Emotion (77) who shed her maiden three starts back over the summer course mile.
She was withdrawn lame and then came out in her post-maiden to be beaten 2,25 lengths by Sassy Sal. The latter failed to frank that form on Saturday when running an awful race.
Mike and Luella Robinson – Lady Ming has ability
Mike Robinson’s Lady Ming (75) was running on and only beaten 1,50 lengths in the Sweet Chestnut and her two previous starts were half decent placed efforts against older fillies.
She is capable of going very close.
Desert Destiny (73) is another of the first of the Woodruff Cape winter feature runners.
She has some ground to make up on the higher rated locals and looks more of a Winter Oaks filly.
Colour Magic (79) has not been persevered with at her last two flat starts and cannot be fancied.
Genuine Class
Greg Ennion’s Moonsong Magic stands out as the class runner and Greg Cheyne will be keen to pull one back over Sunset Tripp and Seven Grand.
Cat And The Moon cannot be ignored, while Elusive Stars could be the value if putting her best foot forward.
