Kommetdieding, pictured with elated owner Ashwin Reynolds, will be out to emulate the great Politician by adding a second Met win to his July/Met double (Wayne Marks).
Gold Circle
The Pick 6 pool on WSB Met day on Saturday has a R1 million carry over and the pool is expected to reach R10 million.
Captain’s Ransom needs no introduction and drops back to a more suitable trip of a mile in the first leg, the Grade 1 Schweppes Majorca Stakes, and she will be a popular banker. It is a small field of six and if any of the runners are able to dictate at slow fractions they will have an advantage. Desert Miracle’s two races over a mile to date have not panned out well. She has Christophe Soumillon aboard, a jockey with sublime balance and with his world wide experience he must be a good judge of pace, so this classy filly could possibly put some pressure on Captain’s Ransom. Chansonette likely would have beaten Captain’s Ransom in this race last year had she not shifted in late and left the door open, but her current form suggests she has not trained on. Silver Darling is coming into her own like a typical Silvano, but this is on the sharp side and Ciao Bella and Golden Hostess will need improvement.
In the second leg, a tricky handicap over 1600m, Gimme More Time made up ground effortlessly in the straight from well back last time over course and distance, but was then kept in the pocket on the inside by the winner Beyondtheboundary. He took a strong hold over 1600m before that, so the drop to this trip suited him down to the ground. He did receive a two point raise for that last second place finish, but now has a better draw. Piere Strydom has retained the ride. Future Turn looks to be progressive and proved his versatility recently by winning over 1000m, so he is a big runner from pole position. Master Point won well over 1400m last time and the form has been franked. Charlie Croker has hard-knocking form and on formlines is close to Master Point. Gentleman Joe would probably prefer further, but on formlines is worth considering. Nevada King and Tothemoonandback both have chances on some formlines. but do have tough draws.
The City Of Cape Town Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1100m is a tough race to analyse because of the different rates of improvement of two-year-olds. However, Golden Sickle impressed on debut and can possibly afford to give 3kg away to the maiden fillies, while getting 2.5kg from the male winners. She makes most appeal in a race where the field has to be considered.
Next up is the long awaited WSB R7,5 million Gold Rush over 1600m. Royal Aussie looks the one to beat here having finished a running on 6,35 length fourth in the strong Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas. However, Winter Greeting is a big and impressive horse who has found just enough to repel challengers in lesser races and this unbeaten horse could still be anything. He is a must include and so is King Regent because he lost two lengths at the start last time when losing his unbeaten record and the horse who beat him, Without Question, caught the eye when finishing a close second in the Politician Stakes. Dave The King was staying on in the Cape Guineas and was just a half-a-length behind Royal Aussie, so is a big runner if able to find cover from a tough draw. Itsrainingwilliam is interesting stepped up in trip being by William Longsword and a half-brother to Rain In Holland. Max The Otter was unlucky last time when cleaned up in the closing stages and definitely better than his fifth place finish suggests. He has a shout from pole position.
In the Grade 1 Pongracz Cape Flying Champiosnhip Resonate has been giving weight to the like of Gimme A Prince and Isivunguvungu and either beating them or finishing close to them. He has incredible natural speed, so is a possible banker consideration. On the other hand Isivunguvungu and Gimme A Prince would have likely improved from those defeats as they likely still needed those runs. Princess Calla is full of speed and class and is capable of producing a devastating finish, so has to be given a strong chance. The other Jo’burg raiders Bohica, who won this race last year, Alesian Chief and Bartholdi, have to be respected. Supreme Warrior has been reportedly flying at home so also comes into it. Master Archie won the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint last year but has given the impression he would prefer a touch further lately, although, on the other hand, he should, therefore, enjoy this tough 1000m course and distance.
In the big one, the WSB Met, Kommetdieding and Jet Dark could fight it out again. Others to consider are Marina, who will relish the step up in trip, as well as the crack three-year-olds Cousin Casey and Make It Snappy. Al Muthana can be considered too as he could get this easy 2000m with not much pace evident in the race.
