Kenilworth’s Saturday meeting yielded a host of excellent performances as one would expect for Graded contests during prime time of the Cape Summer season.

Chansonette (speed score 104) was turned out in great shape by trainer Andre Nel and received a perfect trip under Grant van Niekerk to capsize 1/3 fave Desert Miracle in the G1 Cape Fillies Guineas. The runner up was still a bit green on the outside and only rallied when her challenger moved closer towards her after they had been racing wide apart.

But full credit to Chansonette (by Vercingetorix) who just keeps getting better. Nel hardly ever runs two-year-olds, but he reckons the solitary run that Chansonette had towards the end of her two-year-old term gave her the needed seasoning to successfully compete in the rough and tumble of this prestigious fillies Classic.

Seeking the Stars (s/s 108) received a masterful ride from Anton Marcus going all the way in the G2 Green Point Stakes over 1600m. The vastly experienced jock got the fractions spot on, opening a decisive break, and running the final 800m into a headwind in 47.73 seconds.

Placed horses, the multiple G1 winners, Rainbow Bridge and Linebacker ran credibly at their seasonal openers and will be serious threats in big middle-distance races over the next couple of months.

Kitty Cat Chat (s/s 107) kept going powerfully under Louis Mxothwa to stave off Capitana (s/s 106) Santa Maria (s/s 106) and Sweet Future (s/s 105) in a hot renewal of the G2 Southern Cross Stakes. This represents a laudable result for Crawford Racing as they saddled the first two past the post in a riveting 1000m scurry.

It could be the two horses to take out of the race for future betting purposes are Santa Maria and Gimme Dat. The former rocketed home down the inside and would have won in a few more strides making her an enticing proposition in a stiffer sprint, whilst Gimme Dat was badly blocked before switching out for a late rally. She was one of the better juveniles in the Cape and now seems poised to hit a notable number given better luck in running.

Real Gone Kid (s/s 110) and Rio Querari (s/s 109) fought out a spirited duel in a Pinnacle Stakes with the front runner denying the deep closer who, arguably, gave too much start after being checked in the early stages.

Rio Querari is proven as a G1 winner, and it was a good comeback try after a long rest. The way he blasted home (21.85 seconds final 400m) suggests he will again be a major factor in big sprints this season. However, the signs are there that Real Gone Kind is up to winning at the highest level in SA as well – his speed scores keep climbing from 103 to 106 and now 110. In fact, his higher-percentage, pace-pressing style and ability to sustain a strong gallop throughout with a beautiful action makes this Brett Crawford trained speedball a formidable threat in upcoming G1’s.

Captain’s Ransom is a very special filly. She ran by Princess Calla after that one looked to be going better approaching the distance in a Pinnacle over 1500m. The early tempo was slow, making it a false run affair, but Justin Snaith’s champion filly quickened impressively as she always does to prevail, after scuttling through the final 800m in 46.7 seconds under Richard Fourie.

Some solid numbers were recorded at the postponed Summer Cup meeting staged midweek Tuesday, though the main talking point amongst punters was the record quartet dividend of a monstrous R4.3 million after a procession of long shots, Flying Carpet (33/1) Majestic Mozart (25/1) Golden Pheasant (40/1) and Johnny Hero (100/1) filled the first four in the big event! Not even one of the top eight in the ante-post betting managed to hit the frame in a zany blow out result.

The winner and second horse merited scores of 105 which is at the low end of what is usually required to win a Grade 1 in South Africa. However, they cannot be faulted for a lack of heart as they dueled right the way to the line, with resolute seven-year-old Golden Pheasant (s/s 103) also trying his utmost.

Bold Fortune (s/s 103) prevailed in a thriller over front runner, Perfect Witness (s/s 102) and Rain in Holland (s/s 102) to secure the Ipi Tombe Challenge, a Grade 2 over 1600m. Both the winner and second horse were sired by Flower Alley.

Earlier, in another G2 over 1600m, Safe Passage (s/s 98) took out the Dingaans for three-year-olds as he ran down valiant outsider Red Saxon (s/s 95) with the progressive, Aragosta (s/s 94) securing third spot after a difficult trip. The winner is a son of Silvano so can be expected to improve on that figure with maturity.

Alesian Chief repeated his last out figure of 104 in the Golden Loom when going all the way in the G3 Merchants. The victor is trained by ex-Kimberley conditioner, Corrie Lensley who would have been thrilled to land the spoils in a major center with this talented Vercingetorix colt, now a winner of four out of eight starts.

Sound of Summer (s/s 99) looked teed up to run big in G3 Magnolia and was punted in from an opening bid of 12/1. After showing good speed she was rousted by Grant van Niekerk to edge out Big Burn (s/s 98) in a bumpy finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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