The At The Races tipster fancies Rascova to win the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas (Picture: Wayne Marks)
At The Races
1 12:05 AM – World Sports Betting Supports The Equine Trust Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies)
A 2yo fillies’ maiden with no form to go on, so the betting is likely to provide more of a guide to the chances of these newcomers. SORCERESS SUPREME, WHISTLE THE TUNE, ALL IS GREEN and BLOWN IN THE WIND are of particular interest given the positive feedback from their trainers.
2 12:40 PM – Woodhill Racing Syndicate Maiden Plate
Wide open. TRIPPI’S SILK, PRINCE OF TIBET and CONNERY revert to sprinting after creditable efforts over further. They have the form and experience to be competitive, having already proven themselves effective over this trip. DAIMYO, TYPICALLY FRENCH and DANCINGTOTHELIGHT are likely to improve with the benefit of an introductory outing, so must be respected. Highveld raider BABYLON wouldn’t be winning out of turn and is best kept safe in his first Cape Town outing. Newcomers HOODIA and ESCARPMENT have attractive pedigrees so are worth a market check on debut.
3 1:15 PM – Freemanstallions Maiden Plate
Good race. KAAPSE KLOPSE has bounced back to the earlier form/promise by finishing 2nd in his two outings with a tongue-tie fitted and wouldn’t be winning out of turn. NIGHT BOMBER has a bit to find but could improve to pose a threat. Grant van Niekerk gets off OLD Q, who was backed on debut, to ride SONG TO THE MOON which suggests the latter is the pick of the Snaith-trained quartet. PLEASEDTOSEEYOU and ROUGAROUIN are open to improvement after gelding, while PLUS FOUR ought to be capable of better. Newcomers HOLDING THUMBS, SPENCER and THE REAL PRINCE are worth a market check on debut.
4 1:50 PM – Drakenstein Stud Maiden Plate (F & M)
Good maiden. QHAWEKAZI was game in defeat when collared late over 1400m last time and needn’t improve a great deal to go one better over the extra 200m. Improving DEVILISHLYGORGEOUS is likely to make further progress over this trip so will be competitive from gate No 1. GIMMETHELIMELIGHT is another open to improvement going this distance. FAIRFIELD ought to fare better against her own sex while SAINT BRIGID should have more to offer over the extra and from a good draw after an eye-catching debut over shorter. TWO A PENNY is distance suited and will make her presence felt. Others could feature.
5 2:25 PM – wsb.co.za Southern Cross Stakes (Grade 2) (Fillies & Mares)
Cracking renewal. KISS ME CAPTAIN beat KWINTA’S LIGHT when making a winning Cape introduction and she is weighted to confirm her superiority, though the latter has the benefit of track experience. OCTOBER MORN was inconvenienced at a crucial stage when finishing an unlucky 2nd behind BALTIC SECRET last time but ought to turn the tables on 2.5kg better terms. ONI SAN, CANDY TOWN and BLUE HOLLY, as well as older rivals HUNTING TRIP and MISS MARGUERITE are held on that form but capable of getting into the picture. RIPPLE EFFECT and THREE ROCKS have the ability to make their presence felt too.
6 3:00 PM – World Sports Betting Green Point Stakes (Grade 2)
A high-class King’s Plate prelude worthy of Grade 1 status. Horse-Of-The-Year PRINCESS CALLA will be fitter following a Cape summer pipe opener and receives a 2.5kg sex allowance, so ought to play a leading role over a distance she has already proven effective. CHARLES DICKENS made a winning start to the season, though, and retains all of his – if not more – class and ability he showed as a 3yo, including his runaway Grade 1 Cape Guineas success over this course and distance. He’s the one they all have to beat. SEE IT AGAIN, AT MY COMMAND and ROYAL AUSSIE complete the shortlist. A must-watch!
7 3:35 PM – World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas (Grade 1) (3 Year-old Fillies)
Tricky Cape Fillies Guineas to assess. RASCOVA got one over MRS GERIATRIX in winning the 1400m Grade 2 in the lead-up to this Grade 1 renewal, though the latter had no luck in running and remains capable of better. Both are expected to be competitive. On that evidence, however, the value could lie with DOUBLE GRAND SLAM who gave the impression she’ll have more to offer over this distance from a good draw. DISTANT WINTER and BEACH BOMB are drawn wide but have the credentials to stake a claim in the finish. ROYALS, RED PALACE and SILVER SANCTUARY also have the means to make their presence felt.
8 4:10 PM – Spinawina Slots Cape Summer Stayers Handicap (Listed)
ONE WAY TRAFFIC finished 3rd in a similar contest over 2400m last time and races off the same mark in his peak outing, so is the one they all have to beat. FLOWER OF SAIGON is at the peak of her powers and is likely to pose a threat off of a career-high mark. ARAGOSTA was not disgraced in the Grade 1 Summer Cup and ought to remain competitive, although concedes weight to all under 62kg. OTTO LUYKEN and FIGHT SONG get the trip so are likely to play a role, whereas LINEBACKER will have to prove he is effective over this distance to get a look in.
9 4:45 PM – Pamela Isdell Class 3
Open. SEEKING THE ONE caught the eye when finishing just out the money in a 1600m Grade 3 and is, arguably, better over a shorter trip. He races off an unchanged mark and could represent the value in the race, despite carrying 62.5kg. YAMADORI and ELUSIVE WINTER also ran in a stronger race last time and are likely to fare better at this level in receipt of weight from the selection. USA’S HOPE and DEAN STREET are closely matched on a line through Cafe Culture and both have the means to stake a claim in the finish too. HAMMIES HERO, VELDSKOEN, MOYA WA LALIGA and DUMBLEDORE complete the shortlist.
10 5:20 PM – Wilgerbosdrift/Mauritzfontein Stud Class 3 (F & M)
Good race. LADY LOOK ALIKE bounced back to winning ways last time and escaped with the minimum two-point penalty, so is good value to follow up under just 54.5kg. Stablemate MISS GREENLIGHT finished ahead of THE CHARLESTON in a similar contest back in October and should uphold that form on 4kg better weights terms. PACIFIC GREEN and BODY ELECTRIC are inconsistent but remain capable of having a say at this level. FLYING FIRST is holding form and could also have a role to play.
Top Tip: THE CHARLESTON (5)
Watch out for: LADY LOOK ALIKE (2)
