Billed as Africa’s Richest Race day, the Sun Met and a host of Graded races went off tremendously well on Saturday, featuring some stirring performances at Kenilworth. Heavily punted, Whisky Baron just keeps on improving and he swept past Legal Eagle to land the big one, with pace-setting Captain America securing third ahead of high quality three-year old, Gold Standard. Apart from Marinaresco, who failed to fire, it was pretty much a form result with horses at the top of the boards involved at the business end.
Carry On Alice (s/s 107) just scrambled home to land the Flying Champs. Stablemate Trip To Heaven (s/s 106 +) suffered one of the toughest beats imaginable- very slow out then switched right across the track, he took off late only failing by a neck to get past the high class mare. Red Ray (s/s 106) also put up a sterling fight, finishing in third ahead of course and distance specialist, Jo’s Bond (s/s 103)
Nightingale (s/s 105) received a world class ride from Anthony Delpech to land the Majorca Stakes. He held her up patiently at the back of the field before delivering a perfectly timed challenge to beat off Star Express (s/s 104) and the very game Goodtime Gal (s/s 104) with Final Judgement (s/s 100) rounding off the quartet.
Frankie Dettori rode masterfully to win the Cape Derby on Edict Of Nantes, showing especially fine judgement. “I’ve done this around the world before, you know,” he kidded. “”They went so slow I thought I could go early and pinch it, then let them panic…” he explained afterwards. Ambling front-runner, Zodiac Ruler kept on for second in a glacier-slow time – the Met was completed five seconds quicker.
The CTS Sprint was won by emerging star filly Live Life (s/s 109) who hurtled through in the centre to nail Always in Charge (s/s 108) with Attenborough (s/s 103) staying on for third spot. This was a true run affair, likely to prove a key race and all three should go on to most rewarding careers. The following contest was also a CTS incentive for big bucks with William Longsword (s/s 103 +) pleasing favourite backers when making a winning rail run. He is going off to stud to take over the mantle from Captain Al. Based on looks, ability and potential support from a strong mare band, he must have a good chance of making it as a stallion.
Finally, the performance of juvenile Call to Account (s/s 100) was eye-popping. Described by assistant trainer Ricky Sobotker as ” a top filly” she showed speed all the way to stave off extremely promising debutant Kasimir (s/s 98) and highly rated Dutch Philip (s/s 96). These are very big figures for babies and they should be followed with confidence.