Merchants has an open feel
CAUTIOUS: KASIMIR IS A TENTATIVE FIRST CHOICE WHO HAD AN EXCELLENT PREPARATION
Cirillo has a wide draw to overcome in the CTS Ready To Run Stakes.
Once again the Grade 2 Cape Merchants over 1200m at Kenilworth tomorrow will provide a test for bettors. It has attracted the maximum 20 acceptors and in an open race Kasimir is a tentative first choice. This classy son of Captain Al has always seemed capable of pulling off a decent prize, and had an excellent preparation for this race when pushing undefeated One World all the way over slightly further.
With a handy 55.5kg and Richard Fourie on his back, he seems certain to be involved in the finish. Fellow four-year-old Dutch Philip also deserves serious consideration. He made a highly promising return following gelding behind top-class Undercover Agent, and seems primed for a huge effort.
Sole three-year-old Van Halen is another who has undeniable claims. Rested after winning the juvenile Grade 1 Gold Medallion in May, he strolled to victory a month ago in his Assessment Plate comeback. With a mere 52kg he demands to be taken extremely seriously, and would be no surprise winner.
Our Mate Art might prefer a little further but also appeals with 52.5kg on his back.
At the top of the weights, class acts Bold Respect, Attenborough and Search Party likewise demand inclusion, despite their heavy burdens.
In terms of money Race 6, the CTS Ready To Run Stakes worth R2.5 million, stands out and has attracted a decent field. Sean Tarry’s Cirillo is easily best performed in this restricted sales race, but will jump from the widest draw, which is a problem over 1400m on the winter course.
Nevertheless, with Anton Marcus up he can still confidently be expected to be a major player.
Crown Guardian has a couple of Stakes places to his credit, and made a pleasing return when finishing on top of the placed runners in a strong sprint a month ago. From a good draw he should right there at a longish price.
Majestic Mozart looks highly promising, but seems likely to get going too late, while the two Tarry-trained fillies, Sally Called and Second Request, also have claims with their 2.5kg allowances.
Best bet on the card overall though looks to be Santa Clara in Race 4, a Progress Plate for threeyear-old fillies over 1600m. This Candice Bass-Robinson-trained youngster is way above average, and with 57kg will be extremely tough to deny.
Main danger is Glen Kotzen’s dual Stakes winner Coral Bay.
Cape Features: What the trainers say – Page 5. Every meeting this weekend will have a Pick 6 carryover, including Sunday’s Greyville card which has a R219 303 carryover that is expected to reach a mouth-watering R1.9 million! For a share of the prize, I advise you to banker the Brett Crawford-trained Cruz Giovanni in Race 7, a Maiden Plate over 2000m on the Turf track.
Although a 17-10 beaten favourite in his most recent performance when finishing 2.50 lengths behind Sigismund over 1600m, an effort suggesting this son of What A Winter is yearning for extra ground.
He looks an above-average sort and ran a cracker in his penultimate start when beaten a diminishing length by Copenhagen over 1400m at this course. An effort full of merit considering he was also drawn worst of all. The inform jockey Anton Marcus retains the ride and the pair will be aided by the 57kg and advantageous No 4 draw in this 11-horse field.
For the TAB double, I suggest you go with Cruz Giovanni and the Gareth van Zyl-trained Marchetto, who will attempt to remain unbeaten when she lines up in Race 6, a MR 80 Handicap over 1600m.
A three-year-old son of Silvano, he was one-from-last passing the 350m marker, and produced a lethal turn of foot in the dying stages to win by an extending 0.50 lengths under Warren Kennedy despite jumping from a shocking draw. If he can reproduce anything close to that run, this colt will be very hard to beat, jumping from stall gate 5 and shouldering a light 52kg.
That’s mammoth 9kg less than his main danger Amor Ardiente!
The latter is as honest as the day is long and considering he jumps from a plum No 1 draw, should give Marchetto a run for his money. Float the pair with The Sultans Bazaar, Savuti, Ballymaine, Ram Trip and Reactive in your Quartet.