With the Mauritius-bound Undercover Agent sold without engagements and Run Fox Run displaying an abnormal blood count, Justin Snaith will fancy his chances in the face of reduced opposition of defending his Equus Champion Sprinter Kasimir’s title in Saturday’s R350 000 Khaya Stables Gr2 Diadem Stakes.
The son of Captain Al was a run short of his fitness target when beaten under a length in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship by Russet Air last time.
Kasimir – big chance to get back to winning ways 9Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The difference between the Cape Flying Championship, where the top trio from Sun Met day clash again, and Saturday’s feature is that the former was run at weight-for-age, while the Diadem is the often maligned new generation version – with penalties added for graded race victories. The Diadem is also run over 200m further – which opens the scope further.
The classy 5yo Kasimir won last year’s Diadem when Russet Air was 3,50 lengths back in sixth. There is no question that Candice Bass-Robinson’s Cape Flying Championship winner has improved and will appreciate the extra 200m.
Russet Air – on the up (Pic – Chase Liebenberg0
While Kasimir has the Tsogo Sun Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in May as his main target, Russet Air will be targeting the Computaform Sprint in Johannesburg and will be prepped from Cape Town as his sire was when winning the premier Turffontein speed Gr1 back in 2013.
The emerging star on the SA speed scene, Russet Air again gets a nice rails slot to launch his late attack. Given his style of running, he should be far more comfortable over the extra 200m and can confirm his progress after winning 3 of his last 4 starts.
Bold Respect meets Russet Air on 2kgs better terms for a neck defeat in the Cape Flying Championship and has been a model of genuine consistency for some time – without managing a win. He ran fourth and 2,30 lengths off Kasimir last year and is 2kgs better off this time round. He could be the value.
Chimichuri Run – Tarry charge is no slouch (Pic – JC Photos0
Chimichuri Run ran on steadily when beaten under two lengths into fifth in the Cape Flying Championship. The son of Trippi is 5kgs worse off year-on-year when beaten just over a length into third behind Kasimir in this race last year Always a threat at best!
Now a 7yo, Search Party has mostly uninspiring recent form. Pleasedtomeetyou hasn’t won in ages but had excuses when well back in the Cape Flying Championship.
Fabian was a smart course and distance winner last time but now steps up in class and his stablemate Russet Air looks much stronger.
Merchants runner-up Ready Steady Go cast a shoe and made a respiratory noise when beaten over 6 lengths by Elusive Trader in the Southeaster Sprint. He looks well held in this company.
Elusive Trader won the Southeaster Sprint but failed to quicken in the Cape Flying when just over 4 lengths off the winner. He should be more comfortable over the extra 200m and could find the back-end of quartets with a bit of luck in running.
This could be the race of the day with little to choose between the top five. Kasimir is the marginal first choice to hold Bold Respect and Russet Air. But there is little margin for error at best and it could be safe to go slightly wider in the Pick 6 – as the budget allows.
