The Grade 3 Cape Classic run over 1400m on October 22 is a traditional pointer to the Grade 1 Cape Guineas, which is now sponsored by Hollywoodbets and carries a stake of R2 million.
The unbeaten Candice Bass-Robinson-trained Charles Dickens heads an entry list of 15.
Charles Dickens, who is by Trippi out of Dynasty mare Demanding Lady, has won three races in impressive style from 1000m up to 1250m and is merit rated 111. He is drawn well in six.
Dean Kannemeyer has personally won the Cape Guineas six times (the Kannemeyer yard have won it nine times) and they have a lively contender this year in Bright Green (Gimmethegreenlight), who won his maiden in effortless style before catching the eye with a strong-finishing 2,35 length fifth in the Grade 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m. Bright Green is also among the Cape Classic entries and has landed a plum draw of three. He runs in a Middle Stakes event over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville tomorrow and Kannemeyer said the Cape Classic would thus come a bit soon, but he would see how he came out of tomorrow’s race.
The Justin Snaith-trained We’re Jamming (Duke Of Marmalade) is drawn eleven. Owners Greg Bortz and Gina Goldsmith have not hidden their high hopes for this colt, whom they bought out of the Piet Steyn yard after he had easily won the Grade 3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery. He has had two starts for them and in the second of those he won impressively by 4,50 lengths over 1200m.
The Glen Kotzen yard face their most exciting three-year-old season ever and two of the sophomores who have shown class, Imposing (Visionaire) and Countdown (Gimmethegreenlight) are Cape Classic entries. Imposing looks to be highly progressive and last time out won a Conditional Novice for three-year-olds in impressive style over 1400m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly. Countdown, who has won twice from 1200m up to 1600m, finished just 2,95 lengths back in the Golden Horseshoe and was then undone by a wide draw in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes last time out.
The Vaughan Marshall-trained Dave The King (Global View) lost his unbeaten record last time when eased out of the race after the jockey had felt something amiss. However, nothing obvious was detected by the on course veterinarian. He is a Cape Classic entry, but has drawn wide in 13.
There are two out-of-province entries, Wiccan Warrior and Quandary, from the Gareth and Gavin Van Zyl yards respectively.
Wiccan Warrior (Gimmethegreenlight) 4,90 lengths behind crack colt Cousin Casey on debut in the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. He has since won two races over 1400m, including his seasonal reapppearance on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf on September 18.
Below is the full list of entries:
