The R400 000 Gr2 Peninsula Handicap run as a supporting feature on L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate date represents an opportunity for some Met marginals to stake a claim for the big one at the end of January. The competitive handicap hosts the opening Cape performance of up-and-coming Summer Cup runner-up Deo Juvente.
Deo Juvente – looks to be improving
The fifteen strong field represents as tricky a jackpot closing leg as one could wish for and the Geoff Woodruff runner adds an interesting dimension to a gathering of some of the usual suspects, including old man river himself, in the 7yo Punta Arenas who has been asked to lumber top weight.
Old Boy
Punta Arenas has not quite reached the heights of his storming July runner up position behind Power King, but considering the conditions of his interim races, that of the Champions Cup and Green Point Stakes, then we can’t really blame the old boy.
Punta Arenas – will prefer this and should be fitter
His last run in the suspect form of a slow run Premier Trophy was also nothing to write home about and he may be worth including in the quartets as he steps back into his comfort zone in a race where pace looks very likely.
The Gr2 Victory Moon Stakes winner Deo Juvente has confounded friend and foe in recent times and was desperately unlucky to go down to his illustrious stablemate Master Sabina in the Sansui Summer Cup.
He hit the front there looking a winner and was the source of a sensational, albeit unsuccessful, objection.
He has not drawn well and has his first run on a left-handed track, but looks a smart youngster and with SA champion jockey Gavin Lerena in the saddle must be a major factor.
Body Of Matter
Jet Master Stakes runner-up and Met entrant Silicone Valley took the step up to a mile in his stride and was a winner everywhere but the line – and comes in well drawn in this race over 200m further.
The Conglomerate
Joey Ramsden’s The Conglomerate was never comfortable in the Green Point Stakes and has failed to deliver on his Daily News 2000 placing of last KZN Champions Season.
Mike Bass has a strong four way and jockey engagement seems to point in the direction of Spirit Of Hamilton.
The son of Argonaut ran on nicely and looked dangerous late when fourth and only 2,60 lengths behind Heartland in the Jet Master Stakes.
He won his penultimate start over the winter track 1800m and while this won’t be easy against some hardknockers, he needs to prove that he can be competitive.
Winter Classic winner Royal Dreamer may find this on the short side and is yet to recapture his winter season form.
The enigmatic Helderberg Blue was fancied in this event last year but lacked spark late and ran fourth behind Arion.
The Glen Kotzen-trained Light The Lights was way out of his ground in the Jet Master Stakes and an on strongly for a very decent fifth, under three lengths off the winner. Stuart Randolph deputises for the injured Greg Cheyne and if he reproduces a similar effort will go close off 55kgs.
Riot Act
French Revolution had his first run in six months when 4,10 lengths off Paterfamilias in the Premier Trophy in a race that would not have suited him. He will come on with the benefit of that run under the belt.
His stablemate, the 7yo Marchant ran out of his skin when chasing Heartland home in third in the Jet Master Stakes.
Bill Prestage’s Milton has won two on the trot in a notable return to his best after a quiet spell with Ormond Ferraris in Johannesburg.
He is an interesting runner off a galloping 52kgs.
Justin Snaith saddles a three way coupling of Master’s Eye, Krambambuli and the staying type Ovidio.
Eye Of The Tiger
Justin Snaith – another good day at the office?
While drawn out wide, Master’s Eye, is improving with racing and stayed on in the Gr2 Premier Trophy at his last run. He may be held on paper by Spirit Of Hamilton on his penultimate start but will stripper at this stage of his programme.
Krambambuli didn’t have much better luck with a gate one outside of his stablemate. Piere Strydom looks the perfect foil for this hard finishing son of Black Minnaloushe.
Geoff Woodruff could open his Cape Summer Of Champions winning account and the improving Deo Juvente is the choice to hold Silicone Valley and Krambambuli.
