Garrix has been tipped to win the Gr 3 Variety Club Mile (Picture: Chase Leibenberg).
Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)
Garrix was gelded just a few days after finishing third in the 2000m SplashOut Cape Derby (Gr1) and the 3yo son of Vercingetorix could prove the one to beat in tomorrow’s R350 000 Variety Club Mile (Gr3) over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Garrix has always been very highly regarded but many pundits opined that we were only likely to see the best version of him as a gelding. Now that theory is ready to be put to the test and with just 52,5kgs to shoulder and Ashton Arries in the saddle, the Piet Steyn-trained inmate makes plenty of appeal from a handy draw.
But this is a quality renewal of the Variety Club Mile and there is a depth of talent amongst both the older brigade as well as the young turks. Let It Be Said is in very good form and Muzi Yeni has been engaged to ride Justin Snaith’s charge as the 3yo son of Vercingetorix attempts to complete a hattrick. Interestingly Let It Be Said beat Garrix by half-a-length in the maiden ranks over 1250m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville back in September and the pair meet again on the same terms. That was Garrix’s debut effort whereas Let It Be Said was having his fourth start and over the extra 350m there is every reason to believe Garrix may have the upper hand over Let It Be Said.
Rascallion and Magic Verse lead the charge for the more seasoned campaigners, but the former has it all to do under top weight of 61,5kgs and from the worst of the draw. But the evergreen 7yo, who won this race last year, brings solid form into the race and it would come as no surprise to anybody if Vaughan Marshall’s veteran again rose to the occasion under Andrew Fortune. Magic Verse looks well treated on 56kgs and based on the result of the Premiers Trophy he should comfortably have the measure of Rascallion at these weights. That said, Magic Verse appears to reserve his best performances for a slightly stiffer test of stamina than he gets here, but he no doubt warrants utmost respect.
Two other sons of Vercingetorix, The Grey King and Gallic Dream, have the ability and the form to make their presence felt. The Grey King was beaten nearly two lengths by Let It Be Said over 1400m in January but is now a massive 6,5kgs better off with his stable companion. That certainly brings him into the picture with a bright chance and Craig Zackey retains the ride. Gallic Dream has won his last two starts over 1400m and tackles the extra 200m for the first time in his career.
It’s a fascinating and competitive renewal of the Variety Club Mile but Garrix ticks many boxes and gets the vote to claim his first Stakes success.
The R200 000 Sweet Chestnut Stakes (Listed) (F&M) over 1400m is the supporting feature on the 10-race programme and for those whose memories don’t extend back many years, Sweet Chestnut was a brilliant filly trained by Mike Bass during the early days of his long and successful career. Mike’s daughter, Candice Bass-Robinson, is clearly intent on trying to win this year’s edition and comes with a five-pronged attack, the best of which could be Rainbow Lorikeet and Scarlet Macaw. If the latter reproduces her WSB Cape Fillies Guineas (Gr1) effort when runner-up behind Fatal Flaw, then the daughter of Horizon should prove a tough nut to crack under Andrew Fortune. Scarlet Macaw’s two subsequent below par efforts were recorded while Candice’s stable was struggling with a virus, and I am expecting a return to best form here.
Rainbow Lorikeet has been a revelation this season but there is a hint she could find this trip a little on the sharp side although the daughter of Querari will be doing her best work late and could get into the mix on a rain softened track. Bass-Robinson also saddles the ultra-consistent.
Callmegetrix and the 4yo daughter of Vercingetorix faces the toughest test of her career to date. She will need to raise her game to come out on top, but Callmegetrix is all heart and will be thereabouts at the finish. Gold Poker Game and Kyalami Girl complete Candice’s quintet but are suspect over the trip and their stable mates are preferred.
From an inside gate, the Brett & James Crawford trained Princess Izzy cannot be overlooked as she is arguably at her very best over 1400m. It’s been more than a year since the daughter of Master Of My Fate found the winner’s enclosure, but she is very consistent and was a good second in the Prix Du Cap (Gr3) in her most recent outing. On official ratings Princess Izzy has a bit to find in this line-up but I would not be discounting her chances. Kinda Wonderful appreciated stepping up to 1800m last time when runner-up behind subsequent winner Give Me Everything and may be using this as a stepping stone into the final two legs of the Winter Series. But Eric Sands’ 3yo daughter of Gimmethegreenlight is talented and appears well handicapped here.
Lock And Key is an interesting runner. Trained by Glen Kotzen, Lock And Key won her first two starts before finishing unplaced in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville last term and she makes her first appearance as a 3yo tomorrow. Kotzen reports that Lock And Key has had a few gallops coming into this race and “a competitive run” is expected. The 2025 Sweet Chestnut Stakes shapes up as a very competitive event but, without much confidence, I am in the camp of Scarlet Macaw and hopeful she can turn her form around. Exotic bet players though will need to cast their nets a little wider in this leg and perhaps rely on the progressive La Pulga as a banker in the 8th race, a Middle Stakes over 1800m.
Image: Cape Racing | Chase Liebenberg Design & Photography
