There have been mixed reactions to Cousin Casey’s magnificent comeback win in the Grade 2 Cape Punters Cup over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday with some convinced he will be too good for Charles Dickens in the Grade 1 R2 million Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas on December 17 and others taking the opposite view.
That is not to say those two will have it all their own way … Saturday’s runner up At My Command, for example, also caught the eye.
Everybody did agree it was a fine training feat by Glen Kotzen to bring the Vercingetorix colt Cousin Casey back in such fine shape.
The most relieved man in the country was jockey Grant van Niekerk, who admitted afterwards he was in the middle of the worst form patch of his career.
The disappointing run of Chansonette earlier on in the meeting had not helped his nerves.
Hopefully this win will provide a confidence boost and see the talented rider raining in the winners again.
It did provide a fillip to owner Ravi Naidoo, who was unable to be on course due to a family bereavement.
The day turned out to be another cracking success in Cape Racing’s strategy to turn the region’s racing around.
The “Festival” strategy worked a treat and saw a lot of people on course and there was a good atmosphere.
Mark Vandeventer analysed the big races on the day on his website sagehorseracing.com:
As the betting market expected, heavily backed 5/4 favorite Cousin Casey (speed score 105 +) went five on the bounce when winning the Punters Cup (formerly named the Selangor/Concorde) – a traditional 1600m pointer to the Cape Guineas.
The astutely bought Vercingetorix colt trained by Glen Kotzen came from midfield to take control when the speed horses collapsed, and freewheeled in by a length from At My Command (s/s 103 +) with Le Morne (s/s 100) and Port Louis (s/s 100) following at a respectful distance.
Kotzen says that Cousin Casey “a magnificent colt but a very late foal, still has quite some growing to do…” and is firmly on track for a tilt at the Guineas in a month’s time.
As good as Cousin Casey undoubtedly is – whether he is up to defeating Charles Dickens (or invaders from the North) is open to debate. Measured on these speed figs Charles Dickens (s/s 110) has an edge. And, though beaten on Saturday, the run of At My Command from draw 15 and held up far off the pace, can be marked up significantly. He could hit a number as high as 107 with a smoother transit so is not out of the Guineas picture either.
We’re Jamming (s/s 99 +) could be a sprinter after all, despite his pedigree suggesting the opposite. That’s the verdict of trainer Justin Snaith after the sturdy son of Duke of Marmalade took out the Sophomore Sprint.
The Cape Nursery winner is training on well after being purchased out of Piet Steyn’s yard and would be an intriguing proposition if pitched into the 1200m Merchants against older, exposed speedballs.
Make it Snappy coming in at only her third start straight off a Maiden win, was cleverly placed in the Summer Bowl as she took advantage of a light mass to defeat Grade 1 heavy weights Marina and Chansonette.
Brett Crawford’s runner went start to finish, earning a speed figure of 100 +, and the rapidly developing Dynasty filly now looks of interest in the Fillies Guineas in early December.
