Rainbow Bridge (speed figure 114) added to his excellent record in the Met (won in 2019, 2nd in 2020) by coming from last and overcoming a traffic squeeze to win it again this year.
Favoured, Belgarion (s/s 112) had also made a big move from the back of the field and looked a winner entering the last 200m but could not withstand the powerful finishing burst of Rainbow Bridge on the stand side rail. Full credit to trainer Eric Sands and jockey Luke Ferraris for getting the job done in this historic Cape Town feature. The super-consistent victor, who has been a principal contender in all the big races he’s contested over the last couple of years, was sired by Ideal World, (also bred previous Met winner, Smart Call.)
Sovereign Spirit belied seemingly hopeless odds of 100/1 to crack third, improving his best figure from 105 to 108 – a laudable effort. Princess Calla only gave way late after racing quite handy, earning an excellent score of 106 for a three year- old having only her sixth start. Confirming the legitimacy of the form, Joburg raider Running Brave, who tracked pacesetter Cirillo before weakening in the final part, nevertheless ran to her usual level of 105.
Also on the Kenilworth card, Captain’s Ransom, (who easily beat Princess Calla by two lengths in the Fillies Guineas,) showcased her powerful engine when blasting away from older rivals in the G1 Majorca Stakes over 1600m. Her especially swift finish earned the daughter of Captain Al a sectional upgrade of 107 +. Taking a line through Princess Calla, Captain’s Ransom could be worthy of a number as high as 110, truly remarkable for a young filly and well deserving of the sought after “SA star” label.
Five year- old Foxwedge mare, Run Fox Run deserves equally high praise after landing the G1 Cape Flying Champs. She took advantage of a fast- running track and a perfectly judged, assertive ride by Anton Marcus to go all the way. After coming up with an accurate course variant to take account of the prevailing conditions on the day, she was awarded a tremendous figure of 112 for the 1000m dash.
Her finishing ration was around 105%, suggesting that the super- fit Brett Crawford mare was not really stopping. Such classy front runners are practically impossible to beat when they get favorable conditions – though Rio Querari (s/s 110) tried his darndest in a career best performance. His belated rally fell ¾ length short and jockey Grant van Niekerk was left mulling over what might have been under slightly different circumstances. On such fine margins are G1’s won or lost!
Atyaab is a genuine marathon runner able to do a couple of laps at a sustained gallop and he used those rare attributes to win the G2 Western Cape Stayers. With the race run at an unusually hot pace, Atyaab (a former Derby winner @ the course) got the perfect set-up. He seized the initiative under a poised ride by Warren Kennedy to defeat younger rival Silver Host, who struggled to keep up with the relentless gallop, but still stayed on gamely late and should in future win big races over ground, when more mature.
The Kommetdieding fan club grows race by race. This inexpensive Elusive Fort colt trained by Michelle Rix and picked by her father, (grizzled veteran horseman, Harald Crawford) won the G3 Politician Stakes under top weight. He earned a score of 101+ and is on course for a tilt at the Derby in a months’’ time, where he will probably start firm favourite to keep his flawless record.
Jockey Sihle Cele is generally a low percentage rider but he has done nothing wrong when gifted the opportunity on Kommetdieding – guiding him to all four wins to date in the distance range between 1200m and 1800m. Cele worked with former Derby winner, Edict of Nantes, when attached to the Brett Crawford stable and believes that Kommetdieding compares most favourably to that high class horse.