The Cape field sizes are under pressure – even on Met Day when one would think that every owner would want a runner. Just nine youngsters line up in the R150 000 Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes – and maybe it is the Snaith factor that has frightened them all away.
Var Ahead wins on debut
Justin Snaith has embarrassed his colleagues with his 2yo strike rate this terms and it is hardly surprising that only Mike Bass, Glen Kotzen and Paul Reeves, amongst his local colleagues, are willing to take him on.
Snaith saddles three of the nine runners, and two of the only three winners in the 1000m race. And ironically the only other winner was beaten by a Snaith runner first time out – so Justin will have a line on that one!
Bernard Fayd’herbe has opted to ride Var Ahead, a runaway odds on debut winner in decent time beating Mount Keith by 3,50 lengths on 15 December. With the necessary improvement, this fellow should challenge for the lion’s share of the stake.
His stablemate Sergeant Hardy beat On The Right Path a fortnight later in much the same circumstances. The son of Captain Al will be ridden by S’manga Khumalo, and the duo should fight this out.
Third of the Snaith trio is the unraced Bishop’s Bounty, a R1,4 million full brother to the top-class Brutal Force and Red Ray. Red Ray won first time of asking over the Kenilworth 1200m, while Brutal Force went a close second at his first time up.
Piere Strydom rides the first-timer for Michael Leaf – and as we learnt in last Saturday’s Cape Derby, riding arrangements mean little when Striker is involved!
Mike Bass saddles the Noordhoek Flyer filly Felicity Flyer, who was beaten by the Snaith’s The Merry Widow on debut.
She then came out and ran on strongly at prohibitive odds to beat Rebel’s Burst in convincing style – also over 800m.
She will appreciate the extra and must be considered.
The PE visitors have had some fair success in this event over the years and Yvette Bremner travels with the Sail From Seattle colt, Pacific Spirit.
The unraced Ascot Stud-bred 2yo must have shown something in work to justify the 1000km road trip sweat, toil – and expenses.
Betting will be the best guide – and the family are fast.
Rasta Rebel represents the Paul Reeves yard and the son of Rebel King was outpaced on an unfancied debut when fourth out of six and 5,35 lengths behind Elevated over 1000m.
There is nothing to suggest that he would have come on enough in three weeks to challenge the top guns.
Glen Kotzen, who has tasted success in this race, travels from the beautiful Woodhill Racing Estate with a trio of runners, headed by debut second placer, Mount Keith.
Oratorio’s grandson was not supported in the betting and ran green before being easily beaten by Var Ahead.
He bolted at his scheduled next start when fancied to win in a small field – and frankly looks likely to need a bit further to show his best.
First up is the once raced Kahal filly Shizam, who had no luck on debut – she had the misfortune to bump the boom galloper The Secret Is Out – and was also bumped in running.
She could improve in the place money and earn some early black-type here.
Her stablemate Final Judgement is a Judpot filly bred by Varsfontein Stud. She hails from a winning damline and the betting should be watched as an indicator as to her prospects.
It looks a straight shootout between Var Ahead and Sergeant Hardy.
The betting indicates that the well-bred Bishop’s Bounty will be right on top of them!
