One World outbattles the opposition
THE Cape Guineas hopes of Etienne Braun, Braam van Huyssteen and the Truters might not look quite so real this morning now that it looks as if the runaway Dingaans winner Hawwaam is going to be in the line-up on December 15 but One World continues to outbattle the local opposition and Saturday’s Concorde Cup saw the colt stretch his unbeaten run to five. He showed once again that he has few equals when it comes to a battle. As S’Manga Khumalo on Chimichuri Run threw down the gauntlet approaching the final furlong the former champion’s body language indicated quite clearly that this was going to be his race. Anton Marcus thought the same.
He related: “The first time S’Manga came at me I fought him off but the second time I thought he had me - there was nothing left in the locker. But this horse is so courageous – indeed he reminds me of Jay Peg.”
The 9-10 shot held on by a hard-fought half a length with Vaughan Marshall wishing he had a pacemaker – “One World is a special horse but I would prefer it if he got a lead.”
Khumalo explained why it was his tank that emptied first - “I think the mile just got Chimichuri Run and then the other horse outstayed him,” he related. “Also I think mine didn’t enjoy going lefthanded.”
Twist Of Fate
Twist Of Fate, nearly two lengths further back third, had to switch when beginning his run but Joey Ramsden, far from using this as an excuse, said that he can’t wait to try his luck on the longer straight on Guineas day – “I am sick of this winter course.”
But Hawwaam, a half-brother to Rainbow Bridge, is going to take some beating in the Sun Met let alone the Guineas. Mike de Kock said: “He is a proper horse and going to be good enough to campaign abroad. We will enter him for the Guineas and, if he is going to go abroad, we might think of the Met.” Also likely to be in the Cape Guineas line-up is the Sean Tarry-trained Cirillo who led throughout the CTS Ready To Run despite being drawn next to the M5.
“I said before the race that it is easy to overcome any draw. The secret is to overcome it economically,” said Marcus, adding equally modestly: “I then found myself in a favourable position on the best horse.”
Kasimir
Justin Snaith is toying with a tilt at the Cape Flying Championship on Met day with Kasimir (One World’s previous Durbanville victim incidentally) even though he acknowledges that the 1 000m trip is really too short for the gelding. “It might be my easiest chance of winning a Grade 1 with him.”
There was plenty of confidence behind the horse in the Cape Merchants and this was reflected in the betting – from 5-1 to little more than half that price – while Richard Fourie said: “I thought I wouldn’t have to move on him and I was in a good position the whole race.”
Stable companion Silvano’s Pride runs next in the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas after leading throughout the TAB Telebet Progress Plate to beat Santa Clara.
Last year’s Cape Derby and Daily News winner Edict Of Nantes managed only sixth of 13 on his Hong Kong debut yesterday. Racing under his new name of Northern Superstar, he was ridden by Grant van Niekerk for Tony Millard in the Chevalier Cup.
He soon lost his good early position and, although he made up some ground in the straight, he never looked like posing a threat.
However it was his first race for nearly a year.