Double Superlative, who trainer Justin Snaith described going into the race as, “a high-class individual” duly won the G1 Cape Guineas after racing handy in a race run to suit. He got a perfect trip stalking the pacemaker, Pomp and Power, and got past that one after a lengthy battle down the straight. He might have a dip at the Met next – this would make things very interesting should a cross- generational clash unfold in such a big race against older, established G1 champs.
The expected strong early pace did not materialize, and nothing positioned further back in the Guineas got in a blow with Cosmic Highway and Zapatillas filling the placings without ever threatening.
There was major drama towards the outside in the straight as both Universal and Trip of Fortune got blocked when making their moves, effectively ruling them out of contention. An official enquiry has been opened into those incident’s (involving the winner) which subsequently caused tempers to flare up between the affected jockeys.
Firealley (s/s 103) used similarly optimal stalk and pounce tactics on a fast-running Kenilworth Summer course, to sweep past leader Rockin Ringo and easily win the G2 Peninsula Handicap over 1800m. This represents a career-best performance by the lightly weighted Flower Alley gelding trained by Candice Bass Robinson who won two other feature races earlier on the card.
Barzalona (s/s 103) was impressive in the Need for Speed Sprint showing that he is now training on sharply since his notable juvenile exploits. Marina (s/s 104) showed heart to get up on the line in the G3 Victress Stakes over 1800m and narrowly deny Rain In Newmarket, who looked a sure thing with 50m to go. Marina will target the Paddock Stakes next and try to secure a prestigious G1 victory.
Jockey, Craig Zackey reckons it’s best to let Bereave (s/s 101 +) use his long stride and race handier than before – a change of tactics which helped Adam Marcus’’ entry clinch the Southeaster Sprint over 1100m. Zackey told connections just to… “believe,” and was happy to be vindicated afterwards! Bereave has been super-consistent throughout his career and should be able to cope with the next step up and compete successfully in Graded races.
Excellent filly, War of Athena ran yet another big number over a mile (s/s 107) at Turffontein on Saturday and continues to impress with her durability and natural ability. She moved up after the three front-runners dropped away and looked like she would win easily but had to fight hard to deny Tierra Del Fuego (s/s 106) and Johnny Hero (s/s 104) who attacked late.