‘A Nother’ thrilling Guineas
HIGHLIGHT: TRIPLE CROWN AND TRIPLE TIARA KICK OFF WITH THE GUINEAS AT TURFFONTEIN Cousin Casey expected to bounce back to best.
Today sees the start of the SA Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara, with the running of the Grade 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas and the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, both over 1600m. The high-class fields assembled are testament to the incredible racing we can expect and I am really looking forward to the whole season.
Of course, before we get there, let’s reflect on a phenomenal day at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth last week for the WSB Cape Town Met, where we saw Double Superlative pull off a major upset in the big one.
This was an incredible training achievement by Justin Snaith because as a threeyear-old, he was top-class, winning the Grade 1 Cape Guineas, but then things went wrong, and he injured a tendon.
It’s probably the hardest injury to come back from and to do it and then win a Met is a remarkable job.
Daniel Muscutt came from the UK and rode a lovely race, timing his run to perfection to give him a day to remember.
Rascallion ran a career-best race in second and at one stage looked like he was going to win, but a big one can’t be far away for him.
See It Again was the disappointment of the race at odds-on, but things didn’t go according to plan and there have been rumbles afterwards that the lead up wasn’t as smooth as one would have liked. But he is still one of the best, if not the best horse, around, so it would be silly to discard him now.
Princess Calla proved her class in the Grade 1 City Of Cape Town Majorca Stakes when comfortably sealing yet another Grade 1 victory. Her season hadn’t gone her way, and while there were a number of legitimate excuses, there were none last Saturday and the result was a foregone conclusion a long way out.
This mare continues to show how brilliant she is, and I’m sure we will see her in Joburg for the upcoming season where she will be one of the star attractions.
Sean Tarry has done an unreal job and congrats to him and the entire team. Well done to Richard Fourie and owner Mario Ferreira on the beautiful win.
Gauteng raider Dyce showed once again that he is one of the best sprinters in the land with a superb win in the Cape Flying Championship, to give Lucky Houdalakis and Craig Zackey a Grade 1 victory.
It’s always extremely difficult for horses to travel, but this once again demonstrates the class of our trainers in the country and I look forward to seeing him and Thunderstruck renew rivalry during the season.
Well done to owner Dave Shawe, who invests a huge amount into the game and deserves the success.
Now on to today’s card and Race 1 is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1160m and I ride Smashing. Of the raced runners, I believe this is the horse they all have to beat.
Her first two starts were really good and if she can repeat those, then she sets the standard. I rate her one of my better rides on the day.
Blup Blup is having her third run after a rest and although her last start was disappointing, her previous three were good enough to make her a massive runner and the main danger.
Unraced Aga Bomb is an extremely wellbred runner, so my suggestion is to watch the betting for the best guide to her chances.
Race 2 is a Maiden Plate (A) over 1160m and the scratching of Precipeace could favour So Seductive. She returns from a long break which is a concern but her run in the Nursery was exceptional. However, she flopped next time and the long rest suggests something went wrong.
Watch the betting closely for a better guide to her readiness.
Bob was slightly unlucky last time out, but he is capable of winning a race of this nature.
Race 3 is a MR 80 Handicap over 1160m and I ride Cityscape who comes in with a handy weight of 52kg. She ran a lovely race last time out, so I’m expecting a decent effort and I make her one of the contenders.
Siberian Steel looked all over a winner last time and just got denied but he is in really good form and is the horse to beat.
Dreamland improved in his latest start and showed a glimpse of what he produced as a younger horse, so he must be respected.
Articuno is having her second run after a rest and that’s my biggest concern, but she must be included in wider bets.
Joker Man seems to be well above average and won a good race last time out. He is still unexposed and rates a definite runner.
Race 4 is a Pinnacle Stakes over 2400m and I ride Breeze Over. He was disappointing last time out but that wasn’t his race and he is capable of better.
I get on really well with him and I cannot believe how well this horse is doing at home. He is behaving like a two-year old and on all of what I’m feeling, I am expecting a massive run.
Of course, we all have Zeus to beat and he was thoroughly impressive again last time out.
He sets the standard and I’m sure he will be many punters’ Pick 6 banker.
East Coast is an interesting runner as he tries the extended trip. If he stays, then he has the class to be highly competitive.
Good Council is in good form, and he makes up the quartet of horses who should fill your first four placings.
Race 5 is a MR 95 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m. I make this a race in two between my first selection Lady Fallon and the main danger, Sukhumvit.
Lady Fallon drops in class after a really impressive run in a feature, and on her performance, she could have taken a chance in the Wilgerbosdrift Fillies Guineas but they have opted for an easier route.
Sukhumvit won really impressively last time out and her previous start over 1600m was a really good one considering the winner has now won three on the bounce.
Both these fillies are still unexposed and both are expected to continue to improve, so it will be hard for the other horses to beat them and I think they will get you through all bets.
Race 6 is the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas over 1600m and I ride Champagne Cocktail who needed her last start and I can say that it was way too short for her.
She will strip a fitter horse this time and I am expecting a decent run, although I do believe she will be even better in the second leg over 1800m.
Gimme A Nother looks to be the best three-year-old filly in the country after her latest two starts and I think she will take all the beating.
Her demolition job of high-class fillies was one of the performances of the season and a repeat of that will see her win the first leg of the Triple Tiara.
Silver Sanctuary ran a very close second to Beach Bomb in the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas and that cemented her place as one of the best fillies around.
She gets the benefit of a really good draw and rates the main danger.
White Pearl and Let’s Go Now are others to consider for wider bets but are held comfortably by Gimme A Nother.
Race 7 is the Grade 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas over 1600m, and I ride Mondial. I believe he is a high-class horse in the making but unfortunately, we missed our intended prep for this race and that’s a slight concern.
I also believe he will enjoy further after his last win over 1800m, but I am hoping for a good showing, to give me and the connections confidence going into the next leg.
Equus Champion Two-Year-Old colt Sandringham Summit is the horse we all have to beat.
He has had excuses in his last two starts but this time he gets the benefit of a good draw and should get the run of the race.
If he does, he is the horse we all have to beat in this leg and the next.
Purple Pitcher has been a revelation, and his latest win confirmed how good he is. Another bold run can be expected, and he is a danger.
There has been a lot of talk about the unexposed William Iron Arm who has his first run for Tony Peter. He has won two out of three and looks well above average.
The word is that his work has been sensational and they are expecting a massive run, but this is his acid test and we will know more about him after this.
Race 8 is a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m and I think Cousin Casey is the horse they all have to beat.
He is high class although he was slightly disappointing last time, but his penultimate run after a rest in the Charity Mile was exceptional and I make him a hard horse to beat and my best bet on the card.
Unzen is the fit horse of the race and was unlucky not to hold on last time. Another honest run can be expected.
Dave The King has been gelded and he is one to note for the season.
All of Puerto Manzano, Safe Passage and Son Of Raj will be prepping for bigger races but should be running on.
Race 9 is a MR 76 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m and I ride Mighty Goddess who won a lovely race last time out. I believe she has every chance to repeat that win and I make her the value bet on the card.
Courageous ran well after winning her maiden and she rates the main danger.
October Fair returns from a break and has top weight, but she has class and is capable of being competitive.
BEST BET
Race 8 No 2 Cousin Casey
VALUE BET
Race 9 No 7 Mighty Goddess
PICK 6
R72
Leg 1: 1, 5
Leg 2: 4, 7
Leg 3: 1, 2, 7
Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 2, 9
Leg 6: 1, 4, 7