Futura, Act Of War in shootout
KENILWORTH has a Jackpot of features on Saturday culminating in the clash between reigning Horse Of The Year Futura and last season's Cape three-year-old Champion Act Of War in the Gr 2 Lanzerac Alta Mater Green Point Stakes over 1600m.
Act Of War was able to overcome a wide draw to win the Gr 3 Kudu Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Durbanville when showing an exceptional turn of foot from some way off the pace to reel in Heartland.
He is up against a lot better this time and drawn wide again. However, he relaxes well wherever he is in the running so a wide draw over 1600m on this course will be a touch easier to overcome, especially considering there doesn’t look to be a lot of pace in the race. This will be his first test against the best horses in the country, but he is unbeaten over this distance and should have benefited from his Matchem run. He is the one to beat and could go on to prove himself the best miler in the land in the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate
Futura ran on well in this race last year from a tough draw. He usually needs his first run after a rest, so will likely not run quite to his peak and likely prefers more than a mile.
However his class will make him tough nut to crack from a plum draw.
Paterfamilias could be the surprise package as the best has seldom been seen of him. He is drawn well over a step up in trip he will relish, having stayed on in a 1400m event in his first run since an 8,5 length victory over 1400m at Turffontein in March.
Ashton Park found a nice position from a high draw over 1400m last time out and stayed on well, losing to Captain America by a short-head despite a crop drop, so he has a chance of repeating his runner up finish in this race last year as he appears to love the Winter Course.
Captain America finished fourth in this race last year but on that occasion it was the big horse's seasonal reappearance so he should be better this time having had a preparation outing on October 31 in the above mentioned 1400m race when just failing after running on late. He would appreciate cut in the ground, but the 10mm of rain forecast for tomorrow might not be enough to swing it in his favour. He would also prefer a more galloping track too, so his wide draw is a concern.
Sail For Gold has finished close to Act Of War over course and distance before at
a level weights and appears to be the Mike Bass yard elect.
Punta Arenas loves to gallop and is still thriving as a seven-year-old, but would prefer further.
The Conglomerate proved he can be affective over this trip when winning the KRA Guineas, but he is unlikely to get the strong pace which played into his hands in that race and would ideally prefer further.
Helderberg Blue would prefer both further and a more galloping track.
Night Trip has talent and is distance suited but his last run was uninspiring.
They are selected in the order mentioned and Act Of War and Futura should be enough for the last leg of the Jackpot.
Seventh Plain
In the third leg of the Jackpot, the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes, Equus Champion colt Seventh Plain should be too strong despite having to jump from draw 16 in the 16-horse field.
Liege was impressive in his maiden win over 1600m and then ran a good second to the top class Muwaary in the Graham Beck over this trip, so he could be the chief danger, although his wide draw won't make it easy.
Anglet was unlucky in the Gr2 Choice Carriers over 1400m as she had to be eased when running on strongly from last and is now interesting from a fair draw with blinkers on.
The Stone Thrower could be a threat from a good draw if he jumps on terms, because with first time blinkers last time out in a strong Graduation Plate over 1200m he caught the eye running on strongly late.
Elysian Park is a progressive sort and from pole position can't be ignored.
Captain Chaos could be one to consider from a plum draw if jumping on terms.
My Emblem has ability and should be cherry ripe.
Waity Katy is well drawn and ran on well to beat older horses over 1600m last time, so could earn a cheque.
Budapest, Dragon Flame and Kemal Kavur make most appeal of the rest.
Seventh Plain could be a Jackpot banker, otherwise the suggestion is to go wide.
Muwaary is the one to beat in the second leg of the Jackpot, the Gr 2 Selangor Cup, as he is drawn in pole over a suitable trip and is full of class.
Eighth Wonder won the Cape Classic well and a repeat will see him in contention from a good draw.
Hard Day’s Night will appreciate the step up in trip after his third place in the Cape Classic, but his wide draw is not ideal for his handy style.
Rodney flew home in the Cape Classic and will likely love this trip.
Sylvester The Cat is better than his last run, but as a difficult sort his wide draw makes it especially tough.
The Listed Lanzerac Le General Kenilworth Cup over 3200m could see Friendly Tibbs running down Ovidio and Arezzo late in the day.