West Cape raiders to continue Algoa Cup dominance

The last Port Elizabeth-based trainer to win the Algoa Cup was Jacques Stydom-trained Surfin’ USA, ridden by brother Piere, in 2009.

Local hopes were buoyed when this Listed race over 2000m had a forced move to the Polytrack, which resulted in a number of

Western Cape trainers choosing not to raid.

Sadly for some, Candice Bass-Robinson and Andre Nel opted to bring their runners and both Majestic Mozart and Silver De Lange do look a cut above the local opposition.

However, neither has raced on the Polytrack so that fact has kept hopes alive for the Eastern Cape contingent.

Adding additional excitement to the day is the news of a R250,000 Pick 6 carryover with the pool expected to reach R1.5 million!

Majestic Mozart and Silver De Lange recently raced against one another in a Pinnacle Stakes over 2000m at Durbanville. Bass-Robinson’s charge won that by 0.75 lengths, but Silver De Lange is now 1.5kg better off.

However, Nel’s charge followed that up with a slightly disappointing one-length fourth behind My hopes and dreams so on that basis, Majestic Mozart could prove to have the edge again.

Nevertheless, it could come down to which of the pair best adjusts to the Polytrack.

Both have top jockeys up as Aldo Domeyer rides Majestic Mozart and Lyle Hewitson is on Silver De Lange.

Of the local runners, the two with the best form are Rock Aloe and Barberton Silver. The former is one of three runners from the Alan Greeff yard and will be ridden by Greg Cheyne, while the latter is trained by Gavin Smith and is currently in outstanding form, having won five of his last six starts.

He will be taking a huge jump in class, though. Stallone Naidoo takes the ride again.