There have been quite a number of radical upsets during the Cape Summer season, a period which is normally associated with more predictable form results. The shock victory of Bishop’s Bounty (speed score 103) in the Grade 2 Diadem Stakes yet again caught punters unawares. A talented sort at three and a winner of a minor feature on the Greyville Poly on July Day, there was however little indication that the son of Western Winter would be a factor on Saturday, after clocking in near last at his most recent start. As it turned out, he burst through from the back under a still-inspired Grant van Niekerk to defeat the veteran Tevez, with many other rivals running way below par in a strange outcome. The other feature at Kenilworth also fell to the Snaith stable as Sir Frenchie (s/s 107) hurtled through down the rail to mug Bold Respect (s/s 106) on the post with the consistent Woljayrine (s/s 103) finishing third. Sir Frenchie can be erratic yet has plenty of ability when all parts are in working order and he seems best using hold-up tactics. There was honour in defeat for the front-running Bold Respect, and he seems sure to make amends in a top-notch sprint pretty soon. Brett Crawford trained the second horse, Bold Respect, in the Sophomore but had more luck in other races. Pacific Trader (s/s 99) got a monster score winning a Maiden under a hand-ride so is worth following, then Love Dove (s/s 84) scrambled home in a tight finish to shed her Maiden. The stable’s roll continued on Sunday at Scottsville where Peter Muscutt sent out Redeemer and Sunset Eyes to victories. Redeemer is a transformed thoroughbred since relocating, twice running notable figures of around 100 in easy romps, after seemingly being stuck running modest numbers in the mid 80’s when based in the Cape. The listed Swallow Stakes was staged at Turffontein on Saturday. It was a close-run thing with Covered In Snow prevailing over Frederico’s Dream and San Fermin with No More Words also in the picture. Covered In Snow is a daughter of Crusade – she has won three of four starts. We’re only two weeks away from the SunMet. Antepost betting is open on the Interbet site with Legal Eagle, Marinaresco and Last Winter jostling for favouritism. Check it out closely and get involved – there are also some fancy offers for those punters shopping for a long shot wager.

 

——————–

 

It was an inspired move by Justin Snaith, against historic trends, to enter Oh Susanna (speed score 113) in the SunMet as she took advantage of a light weight and a perfectly judged ride by Grant van Niekerk to stave off Last Winter (s/s 112) and Marinaresco (s/s 111) with Legal Eagle (s/s 111) close in fourth. Full credit to the winner, a daughter of Street Cry, who followed up her easy Paddock Stakes victory with another Grade 1 score. There was honour in defeat for the runner up who really took off in the final stages to only fall half a length short at the wire, whilst a very game Marinaresco ran his heart out to be marginally best of those older horses with exposed form. Snaith and van Niekerk were also spot on when Snowdance (s/s 107) landed the Majorca Stakes, from stable companion, Star Express (s/s 104) with Rose in Bloom (s/s 104) putting in a career best effort to secure third place. Snowdance, a daughter of Captain Al, looked invincible after her romp in the Fillies Guineas, when beating Oh Susanna, and she raced handy then kicked clear to land the short odds. Eyes Wide Open (s/s 98 +) won the Cape Derby. Outsider Steel Rose skipped halfway up the straight and it looked for a while as if a massive upset might happen but, Richard Fourie had plenty in the tank, and timing it well, swept past the leader with enough in hand to keep a late charging Do It Again at bay. Sergeant Hardy (s/s 100 +) won the other Grade 1 on the day by going handy in the Flying Champs and beating off the attentions of Trip to Heaven. Unfortunately, a false start and other chaotic goings on marred things somewhat with three horses being withdrawn. Despite that, credit is due Sergeant Hardy, another high-class son of Captain Al, and a formidable sprinter on his day. In lucrative incentive races on the undercard, Undercover Agent (also by Captain Al) won a false run CTS 1600, getting a perfect stalking trip on the rail, where nothing racing off the pace stood a chance given the gentle early tempo. Top class three-year-old Dutch Philip landed the CTS 1200, powering past Kasimir close to home under yet another inspired ride from van Niekerk. Third placed filly Magical Wonderland is, like Dutch Philip sired by top freshman stallion What A Winter, and hard though she tried, was outrun by two superior colts.

———-

After an intense feature race season in the Western Cape lasting only a few months with Graded races concentrated on a few individual days, the big race program has shifted up North. Saturday’s Turffontein meeting revealed some bright talents likely to do well in important races in future. Surcharge (speed score 93+) used a fast finish to land what appeared, going into the last furlong, an improbable win in the Tony Ruffel Stakes (Grade 3). He flew by Sir David Baird close to the wire to sustain a clean winning record of five from seven. Fish River (s/s 87 +)proved much the best in the Three Troika’s (Grade 3). This daughter of Canford Cliffs has real upside potential and won full of running from San Fermin, who stayed on from well back. In earlier races, the ultra dependable Arctica (s/s 97) just lasted home from the chasing pack in the Listed Wolf Power, and She’s a Giver (s/s 98) outduelled Redberry Lane (s/s 97)in a Conditions Plate. The highest figure on the day was earned by Greek Fire. He obtained 105 when beating off the centre rally of Glider Pilot (s/s 104)in a potent Progress Plate over 1800m. Cape trainer Andre Nel’s entries have suffered through health problems problems, possibly caused by a parasitic bug which throws the blood pictures out completely and has scuppered the chances of most of his runners this dry Summer. It’s been a trying period for the diligent conditioner, who usually sports one of the higher strike rates around. Maybe things are looking up – Love to Boogie (s/s 96) returned from 189 days off to snare Al Wahed (s/s 95)in a sprint at Durbanville, then Chatuchak (s/s 85) ran gamely to only just get beat by the fast improving Gimmie a Cohiba (s/s 85). Finally, an honourable mention is due Fifty Cents (s/s 105). The son of Trippi has overcome all sorts of physical problems to regularly notch triple digit ratings. Justin Snaith’s perfomer delivered again when winning the Fairview Mile on Friday, proving too strong for steady local gelding, Laws of Succession (s/s 101).”