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Picture: The connections of Captain’s Ransom and Jet Dark accept the KZN Horse Of The Year award together (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Only King’s Plate Deadheat Will Vindicate KZN Vote

 

 
There’s something about a shared award which – in a word – is unsatisfactory. However, this is exactly what occurred at the KZN Racing Awards with the judges unable to separate Queen’s Ransom and her stablemate, Jet Dark.
 
In a Court of Law, there’s no such thing as being half-guilty. If you are found guilty you are off to jail, if not you walk free.
 
Sure, it wasn’t an easy call between the two Justin Snaith stars but – to their credit – the judging panel for the Equus awards didn’t sit on the fence and voted for Captain’s Ransom.
 
It’s the same story for the annual prestigious “BBC Sports Personality Of The Year” – an award which is eagerly awaited by sports fans in the United Kingdom in December.
 
In 2021, the voting panel had two females with huge credentials for the award – Rachael Blackmore the first female to win the Grand National and tennis star, Emma Raducanu. They decided on the latter.
 
Blackmore still took a trophy home by securing the “World Sports Star Of The Year”, but the talented jockey will have been disappointed not to take the BBC award.
 
There are those who feel Jet Dark deserved the trophy at both Equus and KZN – it’s interesting that Cape Breeders opted for the Queen’s Plate winner at their awards evening.
 
Of course. the hugely exciting prospect currently doing the rounds on the racing grapevine is that Captain’s Ransom and Jet Dark might clash in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate in early January. The only way the KZN verdict can be vindicated is if there’s a dead-heat!
 
The reason this meeting between the two Cape stars – it wouldn’t happen in the Coolmore camp – is a possibility is because both horses are owned by sporting owners. Neither would duck the challenge if Snaith gave the green light.
 
The safe route for Captain’s Ransom would be to let her attempt to retain her Paddock Stakes title. It would be another Gr 1 win to notch on her belt but – like Baaeed going for the Champion Stakes instead of the Arc – there will be those who feel the big challenge had been sidestepped.
 
It seems likely that Sean Tarry’s Triple Tiara winner, Rain In Holland, will head for the Paddock Stakes. The word from the former champion trainer is that – after her operation – the filly is back in full work and moving well.
 
Tarry has dispelled rumours that he intends to relocate to the Cape.
 
Commenting on social media, Tarry said: “Cape Town have upped their game and it looks attractive to be there for the season. And – in time to come – maybe the establishment of a satellite yard remains a possibility.”
 
“But Randjesfontein is my base and we have always done well and been able to attack other centres from there. I’m not going anywhere.”
 
*********
 
No question that the decision to not run Baaeed in Sunday’s Arc De Triomphe has robbed the five million euro race of its leading actor, but – like a good film – the supporting cast can make it a memorable event.
 
With 2021 Epsom Derby winner, Adayar, heading to Ascot to take on Baaeed on October 15, pundits are battling to settle on the likely winner of Europe’s most important race.
 
Here are the leading candidates:
 
LUXEMBOURG: The ruling favourite as a result of his win in the Irish Champion Stakes. Trainer Aidan O’Brien convinced his charge will love the step up to a mile and a half.
 
ALPINISTA: Done everything right this season with five Gr 1 wins across three countries. Detractors point to the fact that three of those successes came in Germany while she was taking on her own sex when winning the Yorkshire Oaks. Now she takes on the boys!
 
VADENI: Connections feel the ground will suit their runner better than Ascot and it needs remembering he was given the same rating as Derby winner, Desert Crown, when winning the Prix du Jockey Club. Doesn’t have to travel which is a plus but is trying a mile and a half for the first time.
 
TITLEHOLDER: Japan’s big hope and unbeaten this year. Obviously a class performer but not easy to judge against his European rivals.
 
TORQUATOR TASSO: Bidding for an Arc double and will have Frankie Dettori in the saddle. Only one win from four starts this year so faces no easy task for a repeat win.
 
MISHRIFF: With Adayar heading for Ascot, William Buick may partner this globe-trotting star.
 
AL HAKEEM: Stablemate of Vadeni and trainer Jean-Claude Rouget has told the media he considers the colt as “good enough to take on the best.” Appeals as the best outsider.
 
* So what’s this writer’s selection? I will be studying the form in depth and my top choice will be revealed in an Arc preview on channel 240 on Sunday. The race is off at 16h05 (SA time).
 
However, I am suggesting one bet at Longchamp – Kyprios looks the part for the Prix du Cadran.