A comparison of the split timing of the two races show that the Maiden was actually 7 seconds faster than the Gr3 contest for just under the first half of the respective races
The smart Silvano gelding Strathdon bids to win the R250 000 Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap for the second consecutive year
The smart stayer Strathdon – a half brother to Cape Guineas winner Tap O’Noth – registered a hat-trick of wins on Saturday
Milnerton based Adam Marcus saddled the third Gr3 winner of his career at Kenilworth on Saturday
Punters were caught napping in the 2500m eight strong field of staying handicappers and the Snaith second stringer landed up jumping at 20-1 as the outsider of the bunch
There must surely be at least another eight stayers in the Cape half capable of taking on the likes of mostly tired longhaulers like local hope and topweight Coltrane, and Mike De Kock’s temperamental J&B Urban Honey Stayers winner Kingston Mines over the 2,5 km
Wavin’ Flag represents the genuine class staying ability in the race but caution should be exercised as one can only speculate as to when his stop-start tough travel programme will catch up with him
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer and jockey Grant Behr wrote the script for Saturday’s Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap
Pace, or the very likely lack of it, could be the determining factor in Saturday’s Gr3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap at Kenilworth
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….
