RACING AND SPORT
ANTON MARCUS has a chance of achieving a Grade 1 double this weekend as he rides the favourite in both the WSB Fillies Guineas and the Cape Guineas, which for the first time in history are being run on the same day, but he could be denied by the Mike de Kock-trained Soqrat or the outsider Majestic Mozart.
Vaughan Marshall is going for his third successive Cape Guineas and it is believed he will become the first trainer in history to achieve this feat. He has a fine chance of doing it with the unbeaten One World, who like 2016 winner William Longsword and 2017 winner Tap O’Noth is by Captain Al, who was the third of Marshall’s five Cape Guineas winners to date.
One World will be hard to beat under Marcus. He is a relaxed, long-striding sort who is able to dictate and then show a kick and he can find extra when challenged too.
He beat Chimichuri Run by only half-alength in the Concorde Cup over 1400m last time, which was run on the Kenilworth Old Course, but gave the impression he had a bit in hand. As a galloping type, he should prefer the New course on Saturday.
Chimichuri Run was running all the way to the line in the Concorde Cup so will give One Man something to think about again.
The progressive Cirillo is another danger, especially as he is drawn two. He proved last time in the Ready To Run over 1400m he can do it from the front and has champion jockey Lyle Hewitson up. In his only previous attempt at 1600m he was beaten four lengths by Soqrat in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes, but he was caught wide throughout that day and also hit the front too early.
With two front-runners involved the race could play into the hands of Soqrat, who will attempt to give Mike de Kock a fifth Cape Guineas win. He has won his only start over this trip, doing it comfortably in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes last season, and packs a powerful finishing run. Furthermore, he has a plum draw of four.
Twist Of Fate
Twist Of Fate beat Cirillo over 1400m in his penultimate start and then had to be switched outward in the Concorde before running on strongly. He is a scopey sort and Joey Ramsden is sure to have him in tip top condition but he does have a tricky draw. The strapping Majestc Mozart who was charging home in the Ready To Run after being dropped out from a wide draw. This Dynasty colt will relish the step up in trip and is drawn in pole.
Van Halen is full of class but has to put a poor last outing behind him.
Sacred Arrow and Crown Guardian look held.
Soqrat is tipped to beat Majestic Mozart with One World, Twist Of Fate and Cirillo next best.
The WSB Fillies Guineas is not a strong renewal and the Brett Crawford-trained Dynasty filly Front And Centre can remain unbeaten as she has won all three of her races effortlessly. Clouds Unfold drew away nicely to win the Western Cape Fillies Championship (WCFC) over 1400m and should relish this trip. She also has a plum draw of three so will be a big danger. Temple Grafin is held by Clouds Unfold, losing to her by 2,25 in the WCFC and now drawn very wide. Ghaalla won the Grade 3 Fillies Mile but the form looks suspect with 88 merit rated I Like It a narrow second and Ronnie’s Candy managing a close third despite pulling ad racing wide. Silvano’s Pride has a lot of substance and will be improving all the while being by Silvano so is a threat despite a wide draw as she looks to be a relaxed type. Golden Chance has class and is unexposed as she steps up from 1200m so is a dark horse. PE raider Just Chaos won the RA Stakes well last time, but is up against it here. Second Request was running on well in the Ready To Run and could earn. The selection is Front And Centre to beat Clouds Unfold with Silvano’s Pride, Temple Grafin and Golden Chance next best.