The Cape Summer season is getting into full swing and there were some fine performances clocked at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Visiting Highveld trainer Clinton Binda won the Bantry Bay Stakes with Ziyasha (s/s 106) under an opportunistic ride by “Sting-Ray” Danielson. He took the free-striding sprinter to the lead, opened a decisive break on the field and duly went all the way to stave off Meu Capitano (s/s 106) and Questioning.
The opposite pace scenario applied in the Summer Bowl where closers dominated after the early speed horses caved in. Double Grand Slam (s/s 103 +), held up this time, came with a wet sail to win convincingly with Rainbow Lorikeet running a career best of 102 back in second place.
Saartjie (s/s 100+) was noted staying on strongly too, and she is one to follow in middle distance races such as the Victress and Paddock Stakes.
One Stripe (s/s 99 +, with sectional upgrade 103+) ran down pacesetting stable mate All Out for Six to win the Punters Cup. He looked invincible based on an excellent last effort to older horse, Snow Pilot and again showcased a tremendous finishing burst. He will be hard to beat in the Cape Guineas.
Eight on Eighteen is worth respecting there, too. The Snaith trained entry was having his first start since beating All out For Six in the Langerman five months ago and stayed on nearly as quickly as One Stripe. With the benefit of this run and improved fitness, this “serious racehorse,” as described by Snaith, comes right into the reckoning for the prestigious G1 3YO showdown in three weeks’ time.
Vaughan Marshall and Gavin Lerena cleaned up on the day. Not only did they win with odds- on hottie, One Stripe but Lion Rampart (s/s 94 +, has run 102) took out the Sophomore Sprint after also receiving heavy betting action, and a revived World of Pleasure (s/s 90) sprang a surprise by downing favoured, Empire State in a Class 4 later on the card.
Next week we will focus on the big Summer Cup meeting at Turffontein. Remember, Interbet offer great fixed odds prices. Close to the jump the percentages drop to a favorable level near to 100% on the exchange. That makes it advantageous for selective punters with a sharp sense of what constitutes a positive value wager.
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