Shangani at 7/1 won the historic Gold Cup for stayers over 3200m at Greyville in the season- ending meeting. Trained by Paul Peter, the Highveld based marathon runner only caught 40/1 outsider, Imperial Ruby in deep stretch. Another handily placed entry, 20/1 shot Rex Union was under a length back in third spot.
None of the off-pace horses threatened in the Gold Cup. Racing forwardly was the key and with few jocks riding the Greyville circuit better than Warren Kennedy, he was perfectly positioned to launch that winning rally on Shangani.
Jet Dark (speed score 113) and Kommetdieding (s/s 113) fought out a thrilling tussle in the Champions Cup over 1800m with the son of Trippi prevailing by a long neck. Both these thoroughbreds have distinguished themselves in big races over the past season, scoring a couple points higher (s/s 115 is Jet Dark’s peak) than even these notable figs.
At some stage in the future Jet Dark will take over stallion duties from his sire, Trippi in a potentially exciting transition at Drakenstein Stud.
Jet Dark was Richard Fourie’s ninth Grade 1 victory of the season. He has really pushed himself to the limit in the past year, overcoming personal and physical hardships to take full advantage of the free lance opportunities that came his way.
Riding for top trainers around South Africa bought out the best in this free- spirited, natural talent. His Grade 1 successes during 2021-2022 were recorded on Captain’s Ransom (Paddock Stakes/Majorca Stakes/SA Fillies Sprint & Mercury – see below) Pomp and Power (Cape Derby) Rain in Holland (SA Fillies Classic) Aragosta (SA Derby) Al Muthana (Gold Challenge) & Jet Dark (Champions Cup).
Another high-class speed figure on a day of stellar performances in the Grade 1 races went to afore-mentioned Captain’s Ransom. She hit 111 when streaking past William Robertson (s/s 110) and Big Burn (s/s 108) in the Mercury Sprint (WFA). It was a truly tremendous effort by this extra-ordinary daughter of Captain Al– as if further evidence of her ability is required – she has now won in 12 of her 15 career starts trained by Justin Snaith.
Cousin Casey (s/s 98 +, another potential star sired by Vercingetorix) was much the best in the Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m coming from mid-pack with a smooth run down the centre of the straight which carried him comfortably past the opposition. Glen Kotzen’s charge is a shoo-in for Champion Two-Year-Old Colt when awards panels gather to make their calls.
Canadian Summer (s/s 90) snuck home over Rock the Fox, Bless my Stars and Hold my Hand and in a blanket finish to the G1 Thekwini Stakes for fillies. This was a first Grade 1 for both trainer, Dylan Moore and jockey, Jason Gates.
I’ve projected a score of 104 + from Marina as the popular banker predictably dominated an overmatched field in the G2 Gold Bracelet over 2000m on a cut-up, wet track. Follow the Stars (s/s 101) kicked on best of the rest in a false run affair to get second, but she was comprehensively outpointed by Marina who Candice Bass Robinson believes is good enough to have a Grade 1 win in her during the Cape Summer season when reaching full physical maturity.
Two other performances that book-ended the meeting are note-worthy. It’s unusual for such a big number to be recorded on the Poly yet Silvano’s Timer attained 106 when beating off Donald McDonald (s/s 105) in the listed 1600m Darley Arabian. Dean Kannemeyer’s Silvano gelding is a must-follow now that he is recovered from his physical problems.
Finally, Isivunguvungu (s/s 102 +) swept clear in the Umgeni Handicap under lights. This What a Winter three-year-old has a bright sprinting future. It gives Peter Muscutt and connections a range of options knowing that he is equally adept on Poly as on the lawn or, come to think of it, racing by day or by night!