William Longsword (speed score 99 +) won the prestigious Cape Guineas from Gold Standard. They had met before in the Selangor which Gold Standard won with a monster score of 110 – William Longsword attained 101 there after suffering an over-reach injury. MJ Byleveld’s inspired ride to quickly get handy from a wide draw was the key to this Guineas victory as he swept past a labouring favourite Table Bay 300m out, also keeping enough in reserve to stave off Gold Standard’s closing bid.
William Longsword is an imposing horse slated to take after his super-sire Captain Al and become part of the Klawvervlei Stud stallion roster. High class Gold Standard, meanwhile holds an entry in the Met and it will be fascinating if he takes on elders like Marinaresco and Legal Eagle in that race, though he may duck them and go the Derby route instead.
In other feature action at Kenilworth, Icy Trail who consistently runs figs of around 100, score 96 + when scrambling home from Krambambulli and Bold Rex in the Premier Trophy to provide trainer, Candice Bass Robinson with a Grade 2 success. She suffered a tough beat earlier on the card when Horizon was forced to switch in a rough Jet Master Stakes rodeo show won by Fifty Cents, who hung sideways across the track.
Goodtime Gal (s/s 91 +) got due reward in the Victress Stakes after a series of close defeats. She regularly runs figures around 99, only once failing to earn a stake in her consistent 14 start career. The talented Nightingale chased her in and looks to be regaining the form that made her a threat in Fillies Stakes races during the KZN season.
Finally, an enigmatic Royal Badge stripped a fit and content horse for the Summer Stayers Handicap and threw struggling opposition a tow rope. Jockey Orffer was impressed at how well his mount travelled and quickened – if staying in good shape physically then this son of fine stallion Go Deputy is worth following in upcoming distance events.