Cape Racing

The 1st Leg of the Winter Series has shifted to Sunday where the World Sports Betting Variety Club Mile (Grade 3) and World Sports Betting Sweet Chestnut Stakes (Listed) will head Kenilworth’s program.

Future Prince, Pacaya and Gem King are the main protagonists in the colt’s contest.

Future Prince has a projected speed score of 104, comes from the in-form Brett Crawford stable and should enjoy a smooth commute racing handy.

Pacaya has run some tremendous races over the course and 1600m distance producing notably fast finishes.

He could be as good as 107 based on his Queen’s Plate effort, but he returns after a three-month rest and gelding so there is a slight query about Justin Snaith’s charge’s race readiness.

However, he has already beaten Future Prince before (when they clashed in October last year) so it should be a spirited duel.

Next best is the rapidly improving, Gem King (s/s 101 +) who obliterated less taxing opposition in a warmup sprint 18 days ago, impressing with a seemingly effortless, but powerful, closing sectional.

Jockey Bernard Fayd Herbe says, “We don’t know how good he is yet- now is Gem Kings chance to prove his ability. Based on his workouts this week, I expect him to at least run a place.”

Sugar Mountain is another smart, developing performer who could get into the mix. His best speed score thus far is 98 – so he needs to step up if he is to harass the top three that have earned stronger figures.

Candice Bass Robinson currently has her horses in great nick and is mass-producing winners from her Milnerton base. She saddles Dancetildaylight (s/s 103) in the Sweet Chestnut Stakes, a race named after a champion filly trained by her father, Mike.

Dancetildaylight has a swift turn of foot and a touch of class, attributes which will be needed to get past tough pace-pressers, Maria Querol (s/s 101) and She’s a Rainbow (s/s 99). Those two rivals finished in the ruck about four lengths off Chansonette in the Grade 1 Fillies Guineas over the course and distance – a repeat of those solid performances would obviously make them dangerous at this lower Listed level.

Dancetilldaylight has been reported as coughing a few times so comes with a wealth warning to punters. If producing her sharpest acceleration, she would blow past them all, but exotic players may want to include the other two mentioned given their past record in a Group 1, just in case Bass’’ physically fickle entry throws in a duff effort.

Another to consider is Young Love (s/s 98). She has not met anything like the level of opposition of the three principals yet hints at perhaps being able to hold her own at this grade. Unexposed after only five starts, she is liable to improve having her second try with blinkers. If jumping more alertly and getting a trouble-free passage, then Young Love could be a menace.

Picture: The Justin Snaith-trained Warrior (Futura) wins last season’s Variety Club Mile (Wayne Marks).