Trainer Andre Nel’s smart Captain Al filly Captain’s Flame caught many of us by surprise when she burst on to the feature scene with a superb victory in the Listed Sweet Chestnut Stakes last month. She steps up to the mile in the second leg of the R600 000 Cape Winter Series at Kenilworth today – and could well follow up.
Captain’s Flame – can follow up
Captain’s Flame was having her first run beyond the sprints when lining up from a 14 draw in the Sweet Chestnut. She showed terrific maturity and solid ability as she skipped clear of her opposition in the straight to beat the late finishing Goodtime Gal.
The two clash again in the R150 000 Listed Stormsvlei Mile and with Goodtime Gal once again grabbing the pole position draw, it makes things interesting.
The daughter of Royal Air Force has excellent recent form, including a smart second to the talented Princess Royal.
Both fillies should easily handle the mile and their return match will make for an interesting sub plot.
Anglet – will strip fitter
The good stakes winner Anglet came on late to finish a further 2,25 lengths behind Goodtime Gal and she should once again be involved in the finish.
The daughter of Biarritz performed commendably there as she was returning from a four month break following her Cape Fillies Guineas fourth placed finish
With improved fitness, she could give them lots to think about.
Joey Ramsden – always include
Joey Ramsden’s Supercilious was a 0,75 lengths fourth behind Anglet in the Sweet Chestnut and has drawn in much the same position again.
A three-time winner, the daughter of Visionaire has been quietly campaigned and her 88 MR may not be a true reflection of her genuine ability.
Mike Bass has two in the race, including the well performed Inara’s full sister, Inanna.
The daughter of Trippi may have had excuses for her eleven length unplaced finish behind Captain’s Flame as she was hampered and has two wins over a mile to suggest that she could be competitive. She is enjoys the same merit rating as Anglet and Captain’s Flame and is the ride of stable jockey Grant van Niekerk, which suggests she is the elect.
Her stablemate Miss Marker is well drawn and has also won over a mile against weaker. She was well beaten in the Cape Fillies Guineas and is a place hope at best.
Kotzen’s Jane S Piddy – decent sort
Glen Kotzen’s Trippi filly Jane S Piddy has shown herself to be very capable at best and was drawn widest of all when slow away and eleven lengths behind Captain’s Flame in the Sweet Chestnut.
She beat a decent field of hardknocking males at her penultimate jump and has shown that she stays a mile. She may be the value kicker if the top few go astray.
Justin Snaith trained Nordic Wind has been beaten twice by Captain’s Flame – the last tiem a solid 6,75 lengths in the first leg.
The daughter of Windrush has been campaigned away from home and in a few tough races – and has been battling to register her second win.
Brett Crawford’s beautifully-bred Icy Fire was only 3 lengths off Silver Mountain in the Choice Carriers Championship but her two runs since have not suggested that she is equal to this test She won at only her second start though and improved fitness levels may see her up her game.
After taking seven runs to shed her maiden, Variance followed up with a tactically well ridden handicap win.
She could battle to hold Icy Fire on the weight turnaround.
Let’s Go Get It was well beaten in the Sweet Chestnut and could battle on these weight terms.
Van Dam’s Force runs off a 66 and would be a shock winner.
Captain’s Flame is the confident selection to make it two from two in the Winter Series.
We will worry about her getting the R150 000 bonus and the 2200m of the third leg, the R150 000 Winter Oaks (Listed) 2200m later.
