Belgarion tops boards for Cape Town Met
Belgarion is currently trading at 2-1 to win the R1-million Cape Town Met over 2000m at Kenilworth on Saturday 30 January.
Belgarion, winner of last year's Vodacom Durban July, suffered his first defeat since he was gelded when third in the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate over 1600m on 9 January.
However, he was not suited to the slow early pace and clearly has the Met as his main aim. Richard Fourie's mount is certainly a worthy favourite and is the runner they will all have to beat.
Rainbow Bridge has run well in this race, winning it in 2019 and then runner-up last year to One World. The Eric Sands-trained runner is quoted at 9-2 while stablemate and half-brother Golden Ducat is at 13-2.
Mike de Kock has opted to run Queen Supreme in the Met other than the other Grade 1 race, the Majorca Stakes for fillies and mares over 1600m. The Irish-bred mare comes into the Met as one of the best handicapped runners and is in top form. She has to be a major contender.
Snaith also has Do It Again, who looks to be regaining form.
He ran second to Rainbow Bridge in 2019 and could be coming right and the right time. Anton Marcus takes the ride.
Trainer Adam Marcus has put three-year-old filly Princess Calla into this race and she will be another to consider as she will carry just 51.5kg.
BETTING
Cape Town Met: 2-1 Belgarion; 9-2 Rainbow Bridge; 11-2 Queen Supreme; 6-1 Do It Again; 13-2 Golden Ducat; 9-1 Princess Calla; 18-1 African Night Sky; 28-1 Cirillo; 35-1 Running Brave; 40-1 Silver
Operator; 80-1 Sovereign Spirit
Cape Flying Championship: 3-1 Celtic Sea; 9-2 Erik The Red; 11-2 Kasimir; 6-1 Rio Querari; 7-1 Russet Air, Run Fox Run; 18-1 Ultra Magnus, Vernichey; 25-1 Bold Respect; 33-1 Pacific Trader, Cartel Captain, Elusive Trader; 35-1 Tempting Fate; 40-1 Constable
Majorca Stakes: 12-10 Captain`s Ransom; 22-10 Clouds Unfold; 8-1 Chat Ching; 12-1 Silvano`s Pride; 14-1 Sing Out Loud; 16-1 Pretty Young Thing; 22-1 Kelpie; 28-1 Indi Anna; 33-1 Helen's Ideal; 40-1 Third Runway; 50-1 Icon Princess