The Serious Stuff Starts…

Act Of War wins Matchem in 2015

Glen Kotzen’s Gold Standard, the undefeated Dean Kannemeyer-trained Last Winter, and Joey Ramsden’s Equus Award winner Just Sensual are only three of the eyecatching entries for the R250 000 apiece Gr3 Matchem Stakes and Gr3 Diana Stakes to be run at Durbanville on Saturday 7 October.

Both races are run over 1400m at weight-for-age and herald the signs that the Cape summer season is on the horizon.

While the catering facilities were reportedly a disappointment, Saturday’s positive feedback about the new-look Durbanville track will likely see many of the big guns stepping out on a day that also hosts the Annual Jockeys Chase.

Kannemeyer’s undefeated Last Winter

Dean Kannemeyer has high regard for the Western Winter colt Last Winter, who will have his first outing in the Cape as he bids to emulate the achievement of Summerhill stallion Capetown Noir, who won the Matchem and L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate double in 2013 in the same Khaya Stables silks.

Chrigor’s Gold Standard and Richard Fourie

The Trippi colt Gold Standard put in an impressive public gallop recently and will have his first run since running fourth behind Whisky Baron in the Sun Met.

Joey Ramsden won the Matchem with Variety Club in 2011 and Act Of War in 2015, and  has entered Speedpoint and Table Bay this time round.

Captain’s Flame wins the Diana Stakes last year

Ramsden’s Cape Fillies Guineas winner Just Sensual, heads the 18 entries for the Gr3 Diana Stakes, which includes such good performers as Gimme Six and last year’s smart winner, Captain’s Flame.

R250 000 Gr3 MATCHEM STAKES 

4	Always In Charge		Vaughan Marshall	106
11	Black Cat Back		Brett Crawford	97
16	Copper Force		Justin Snaith	99
5	Gold Standard		Glen Kotzen	115
8	Icon King		Mike Stewart	84
7	Kampala Campari		Andre Nel	88
12	La Favourari		Andre Nel	108
13	Last Winter		Dean Kannemeyer	99
3	Mambo Mime		Dean Kannemeyer	92
1	Nebula		Brett Crawford	101
10	Our Mate Art (AUS)		Candice Bass-Robinson	93
15	Perovskia		Harold Crawford	84
6	Silicone Valley		Glen Puller	106
14	Speedpoint		Joey Ramsden	96
2	Summer Sky		Dean Kannemeyer	90
9	Table Bay (AUS)		Joey Ramsden	109
(16)

Equus Champion Just Sensual

R250 000 Gr3 DIANA STAKES (WFA) 

5	Captain’s Flame		Andre Nel	101
16	Elusive Heart		Glen Kotzen	93
13	Extradite		Candice Bass-Robinson	88
15	Final Judgement		Glen Kotzen	103
11	Fresnaye		Joey Ramsden	85
12	Gimme Six		Justin Snaith	106
2	Goodtime Gal		Michael Robinson	99
6	Hoist The Mast		Andre Nel	74
8	It Is What It Is		Mike Stewart	79
14	Just Sensual		Joey Ramsden	109
4	Leaves Of Grass (AUS)		Candice Bass-Robinson	77
1	Mara		Dean Kannemeyer	88
7	Meryl		Dean Kannemeyer	96
0	Nordic Breeze		Justin Snaith	95
17	Philae		Andre Nel	80
3	Rose In Bloom		Joey Ramsden	92
10	Seattle Gold		Brett Crawford	90
9	Whose That Girl		Candice Bass-Robinson	93
(18)

Supplementary entries are due by 11h00 pm Friday 29 September and declarations by 11h00 on Monday 2 October.