Small But Classy Entry Of 12 For Splashout Cape Derby

Justin Snaith scored a fourth Cape Derby win with Pomp And Power in 2022 and he has five entries this year. (Chase Liebenberg Photography)

The R1,5 million SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby to be run on Saturday 22 February has now attracted 12 entries after the deadline was extended 24 hours after only 7 entries were received for the prestigious classic on Monday morning.

Justin Snaith has five of the 12 entries and goes for a fifth success in the big race. His entries are headed by WSB Met winner Eight On Eighteen.

SA champion jockey Richard Fourie has been aboard three of the four Snaith Cape Derby winners and is likely to partner the 127-rated Eight On Eighteen, should the Nick Jonsson-owned galloper take his place.

Candice Bass-Robinson is looking for her first Cape Derby success, although her father Mike won it in 2006 with Floatyourboat. Her two entries include the only filly in Scarlet Macaw.

Vaughan Marshall has won two Cape Derbys this century, with Top Seller in 2011 and Linebacker in 2021. The Milnerton veteran’s dual Grade 1 winner One Stripe is the top-rated entrant at 132, but it is not clear whether he will take this route into the Big Cap on 16 March.

While Dean Kannemeyer routed the 6yo Gimme A Prince via the mile of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate back down to win the 1000m HKJC World Cape Flying Championship, it could be a different challenge for a 3yo stepping up from the mile in early January to 2000m on February 22 and then back to 1400m for the Big Cap on March 16.

Supplementary entries for the Cape Derby are due on Friday and the final field is announced om Monday 17 February.